Introduction.
Looking at the world right now beyond the surface, we are surrounded by events that should shake us, but we are not shocked.
Witnessing the worst things happening may give you a different perspective, but the inability to do anything about these problems is the root of the issue. We offer so many excuses as human beings for why things are happening; my favorite one is the classic, ‘It’s God’s plan.’
However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that all problems originate from human beings, their choices, and their ambitions. The issue is that the excuse, on a deeper scale, translates to a disconnect from the real problems. This disconnect is referred to as moral disengagement; it is not only personal but structural.
What is moral disengagement?
Moral disengagement is the process of justifying unethical actions by disconnecting them from moral standards. In 1999, Albert Bandura wrote Moral Disengagement in the Perpetration of Inhumanities, stating that moral disengagement is a process where an individual or institution convinces themselves that ethical standards do not apply in a particular context to justify their choices. Does this sound familiar to you?
In his work, he outlined several mechanisms used for moral disengagement.
- Moral Justification—Believing that actions are serving a noble cause.
- Advantageous Comparison—Citing and comparing actions to worse actions to minimize the impact of these actions.
- Displacement of authority by claiming an individual or institution is just following orders.
- Blaming the victim by claiming they brought it on themselves.
- Dehumanizing victims, viewing them as less human to reduce empathy.
Institutionalized Moral Disengagement.
Like I stated earlier, moral disengagement is not limited to individual choices; it is also embedded in institutions and the system. Euphemisms such as “cost efficiency” or “market demand” in the corporate world conceal exploitative labor and environmental destruction.
Educational institutions also promote moral disengagement by sanitizing history. In my country, we were taught colonization in the form of a rescue mission, books were written to describe african people as uncivilized, almost like invading lands and erasing their history was a way to open their eyes and teach them “better ways.”
But now I can see it for what it was: inhumane treatment, intentional erasure of identities, and a way to rob natural resources. Students were not just misinformed but also socialized to disengage from historical accountability. I am very curious to know what history will write about the wars going on globally.
In addition, military and religious institutions engage in moral disengagement. The military dehumanizes the object of their actions using phrases to excuse unnecessary violence. The art of war is nothing but a means to achieve personal gains or ego worship disguised as a fake concern for nationality. It is quite ironic to fight for peace by killing and disrupting the livelihood of your opponent, creating more chaos to maintain “peace.”
Stating that it is “God’s will” cultivates disengagement from the truth and accountability.
Technological Systems and Moral Obscurity
Technology connects us and separates people from reality, buffering them from empathy and ethical responsibility for our actions. Algorithms are curated to display and engage with selective issues; this allows users to align with things that interest them while avoiding uncomfortable content.
This selective visibility allows people to disengage from what does not interest them. Hence, promoting the ‘what I don’t see’ mentality does not concern me.
Surveillance and obedience culture greatly promote disengagement. We are living in an era where privacy and data protection are at a minimum. Companies and institutions can access people’s social media, which limits the freedom of speech.
It also promotes unethical conformity, where people conform to what they are told to promote instead of what they believe in. This culture mirrors Bandura’s mechanism of displacement of responsibility by claiming that they are just doing what is expected of them.
Why this matters: The Cost of Widespread Disengagement
If you are curious and patient enough to read this, you are also wondering why it matters. What’s the purpose of recognizing moral disengagement and how institutions, culture, and technology are playing a role in promoting it? It matters because normalized moral disengagement creates a society lacking empathy and accountability, which reflects our current reality.
It matters because every major crisis we face is not only the result of governance but also a lack of individual and societal engagement. We have the responsibility to step up and discourage behavior. Our disconnect from what is happening and what has been happening for the longest time has brought dire consequences not only to the victims but to society as a whole.
The antidote to moral disengagement is not perfection but awareness and acknowledgement. We must be aware of reality and accept it rather than creating excuses. Being present even when it is inconvenient and uncomfortable dismantles moral disengagement.
Conclusion
“Moral disengagement is about how even good people can do harm or, even worse, stand by collaboratively,” she said. It’s not always malicious, but it’s about how our brains can warp our sense of reality to shrink away from discomfort or to shirk all guilt. The secret here is to know these mental shortcuts are there—and to be able to recognize them when they’re at work.
By detecting the telltale signs—blaming others, minimizing the damage, or going along with the crowd—we can start to hold ourselves more accountable. At our jobs, in our communities, and online, every one of us has the power to opt for moral engagement over complicity by silence.
