Obedience to Authority

By Stanley Milgram | Publisher: HarperCollins

About the book

A part of Harper Perennial’s special “Resistance Library” highlighting classic works that illuminate our times:  A special edition reissue of Stanley Milgram’s landmark examination of humanity’s susceptibility to authoritarianism.

“The classic account of the human tendency to follow orders, no matter who they hurt or what their consequences.” — Washington Post Book World

In the 1960s, Yale University psychologist Stanley Milgram famously carried out a series of experiments that forever changed our perceptions of morality and free will. The subjects—or “teachers”—were instructed to administer electroshocks to a human “learner,” with the shocks becoming progressively more powerful and painful. Controversial but now strongly vindicated by the scientific community, these experiments attempted to determine to what extent people will obey orders from authority figures regardless of consequences. “Milgram’s experiments on obedience have made us more aware of the dangers of uncritically accepting authority,” wrote Peter Singer in the New York Times Book Review.

With an introduction from Dr. Philip Zimbardo, who conducted the famous Stanford Prison Experiment, Obedience to Authority is Milgram’s fascinating and troubling chronicle of his classic study and a vivid and persuasive explanation of his conclusions.

 

 

Editions of Obedience to Authority

Paperback
ISBN 9780061765216

Read an Excerpt

A part of Harper Perennial’s special “Resistance Library” highlighting classic works that illuminate our times:  A special edition reissue of Stanley Milgram’s landmark examination of humanity’s susceptibility to authoritarianism.

“The classic account of the human tendency to follow orders, no matter who they hurt or what their consequences.” — Washington Post Book World

In the 1960s, Yale University psychologist Stanley Milgram famously carried out a series of experiments that forever changed our perceptions of morality and free will. The subjects—or “teachers”—were instructed to administer electroshocks to a human “learner,” with the shocks becoming progressively more powerful and painful. Controversial but now strongly vindicated by the scientific community, these experiments attempted to determine to what extent people will obey orders from authority figures regardless of consequences. “Milgram’s experiments on obedience have made us more aware of the dangers of uncritically accepting authority,” wrote Peter Singer in the New York Times Book Review.

With an introduction from Dr. Philip Zimbardo, who conducted the famous Stanford Prison Experiment, Obedience to Authority is Milgram’s fascinating and troubling chronicle of his classic study and a vivid and persuasive explanation of his conclusions.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Obedience to Authority about?

A part of Harper Perennial’s special “Resistance Library” highlighting classic works that illuminate our times:  A special edition reissue of Stanley Milgram’s landmark examination of humanity’s susceptibility to authoritarianism.

“The classic account of the human tendency to follow orders, no matter who they hurt or what their consequences.” — Washington Post Book World

In the 1960s, Yale University psychologist Stanley Milgram famously carried out a series of experiments that forever changed our perceptions of morality and free will. The subjects—or “teachers”—were instructed to administer electroshocks to a human “learner,” with the shocks becoming progressively more powerful and painful. Controversial but now strongly vindicated by the scientific community, these experiments attempted to determine to what extent people will obey orders from authority figures regardless of consequences. “Milgram’s experiments on obedience have made us more aware of the dangers of uncritically accepting authority,” wrote Peter Singer in the New York Times Book Review.

With an introduction from Dr. Philip Zimbardo, who conducted the famous Stanford Prison Experiment, Obedience to Authority is Milgram’s fascinating and troubling chronicle of his classic study and a vivid and persuasive explanation of his conclusions.

 

 

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Obedience to Authority?

Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Cultural and media studies > Cultural studies > Popular culture

Where can I read a sample of Obedience to Authority?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780061765216

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Obedience to Authority?

Stanley Milgram

Who is the Publisher of the book Obedience to Authority?

HarperCollins

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Obedience to Authority is available as paperback(ISBN 9780061765216)

Where can I buy Obedience to Authority online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Obedience to Authority from below

Where can I buy Obedience to Authority?