The Scorpion and the Frog
The philosophers have long debated the nature of man (don't write letters, I'm using the generic sense of the word here). Is he, by nature, good or not?
Some people think that man is good and that there are too many rules. Rules that stifle freedom and ingenuity. Rules that keep people from reaching their full potential. Others think man is by nature bad. Hence, there must be restrictions on his actions because if left alone, he will make decisions that will be a detriment to others, if not also himself. Some people take a middle ground saying man is basically good but has tendencies to be otherwise. For what it's worth, I think we have the capacity to be both.
Whichever way you believe, the serious allegations that came to light last week regarding the treatment of prisoners by U.S. and perhaps U.K. forces in Iraq is very disturbing. Not surprising, but very disturbing nonetheless.
I say not surprising because of the ground breaking 1971 research, I've noted before, referred to as the Stanford Prison Study under Professor Philip G. Zimbardo (see also Professor Stanley Milgram's 1965 experiment with authority and obedience). Basically, what it found was that we all have the capacity to exhibit sadistic behavior. That even "normal people can take ghastly actions." In order to prevent such behaviors, systems must be in place to identify, deter, and if needed, punish such behavior before it spreads.
Another lesson from the experiment is that one person can make a difference. If not for the actions of Professor Christina Maslach, irreparable harm may have occurred. But through the fearless way in which she confronted Zimbardo, the experiment ended well before its scheduled conclusion. If nothing else, this demonstrates both the worst and best that we are.
Perhaps it is through self-awareness of our failings that we can be on guard and therefore avoid these situations in the future.
Aloha!