Just Following Orders : Atrocities and the Brain Science of Obedience / Emilie A. Caspar.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Caspar, Emilie A., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cognitive neuroscience.

Obedience.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xv, 245 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, England : Cambridge University Press, [2024]

Summary:

"Throughout history, 'obeying orders' has caused the loss of countless lives. By combining recent studies in social and cognitive neuroscience with accounts from genocide perpetrators, this book explains the brain science behind obedience and how ordinary people can commit awful acts of violence. No background in neuroscience required." -- Provided by publisher

Contents:

Introduction: Understanding genocide as a means to prevention

The role of neuroscience

Neuroscientists almost never meet non-WEIRD populations

Conducting interviews as a research methodology

Conducting the interviews

The present book

A single life matters

Listening to the perpetrators of genocide

A brief history of the experimental research on obedience

How do we take ownership over and responsibility for our own actions?

Moral emotions under obedience

Just giving orders? In the brains of those who command

Desolation is everywhere

Conclusion: How ordinary people stand up against immorality

Epilogue: A hopeful horizon

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 28 May 2024).

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781009385398

1009385399

9781009385404

1009385402

9781009385428

1009385429