While reading about dehumanization in “The Lucifer Effect,” I began questioning why history always seems to repeat itself. In the dehumanization section there were various examples of how people severely mistreated others and saw them as objects rather than people. Time and time again humans have seen the effects of dehumanization, however it seems like there is always some form of it existing in society. Nations criticize other nations for their history, but the truth is that every society has either been dehumanized or has dehumanized another group. It is hard for me to grasp why dehumanization keeps occurring; I’d like to believe that people are generally good, however it is hard to believe that when there is always a group of people who feel superior, which is exactly what fuels discrimination, prejudice and inequality in all societies. I do not think there is a viable solution to prevent dehumanization from reappearing, however I think that reflecting about our own prejudices and biases can contribute to a better future for humanity.
Dehumanization is a common practice among countries when dealing with each other, either in wars or in conferences. It helps people make decisions that benefit them in times of uncertainty.
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