Power Corrupts

The Anatomy of Evil

Listen on

Episode notes

What makes ordinary people commit extraordinarily violent acts? Is it their brain chemistry? Social pressure? Or a charismatic leader telling them it's their patriotic duty? In this episode, we explore the morality of a scientist who gave life to billions--but also facilitated the murder of millions; a psychiatrist who studied the brains of Nazi war criminals; a Rwandan who lost most of her family in the 1994 genocide; and hear from two experts on how authoritarian leaders can convince seemingly kind people to murder their neighbors.

 

 

 

----

 

Power Corrupts is written and narrated by Brian Klaas. The executive producer and sound editor is George McDonagh.