Unethical Conduct: Lessons from Previous Events

One of the most challenging things to understand is why people commit what seem to be heinous and unethical acts. Kelman and Hamilton analyze the My Lai Massacre to understand its origins. What are the social causes of the massacre? Can you apply their argument to understand other major crises or calamities? Why does science sometimes produce the same types of ethical lapses we see in the social world? Is social science worth pursuing? What can it tell us that other fields cannot?

In these short reflections, I expect you to synthesize and reflect on readings and lecture material to respond to the prompt. You can draw on material from outside class, but it is not necessary.

2-3 double-spaced pages, times new roman point 12 font.

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