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About this quote

What does it mean?
The quote references the concept that evil can arise from ordinary thoughtlessness.
In plain terms
Evil can come from ordinary people not thinking deeply.
What can you take from it?
Ordinary compliance can lead to great harm.

Where it applies

  • moral philosophy
  • organizational behavior
  • history

Putting it to work

  • critique compliance
  • examine ordinary evil
  • study moral agency

Questions to consider

  • Is evil always monstrous or can it be mundane?
  • How does thoughtlessness enable harm?

Another view

The phrase is often debated regarding whether evil can be truly banal.

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