Answer:
The statement you provided is incomplete, so I cannot provide a specific source or study. However, it seems that you are referring to the concept of obedience to authority and the potential for individuals to engage in harmful actions under certain circumstances. One of the most well-known experiments exploring this phenomenon is the Milgram experiment conducted by Stanley Milgram in the 1960s.
The Milgram experiment aimed to investigate the willingness of ordinary people to obey authority figures, even when it involved inflicting harm on others. Participants were instructed to administer electric shocks to another person (who was actually an actor and not receiving real shocks) when they answered questions incorrectly. The shocks increased in intensity, and despite the actors' pleas for mercy or signs of distress, many participants continued to administer shocks as instructed by the authority figure.
The results of the Milgram experiment demonstrated that a significant proportion of participants were willing to follow orders to harm innocent people, even though they personally may have felt discomfort or moral conflict. This study and subsequent variations have highlighted the potential for obedience to authority to override individual moral judgment and lead to harmful behavior.
It's important to note that the Milgram experiment has generated ethical concerns and raised questions about the psychological well-being of the participants. However, it remains a significant study in understanding the influence of authority and the potential for individuals to act against their own moral compass under certain circumstances.
If you are looking for more information or specific studies related to this topic, I recommend conducting further research using relevant keywords such as "Milgram experiment" or "obedience to authority."