DO WE ALL HAVE A MONSTER IN US? – Don Hanley’s blog #94

One of the attorneys at the Nuremberg trials after WWII corrected an observer who referred to the Nazis as “monsters” and stated, “We all have a monster within us. " I decided to ask my AI friend Chatty about this.

DON: Hey, Chatty, I've heard that every human has a 'monster' within them. Do you agree with this?

CHATTY: Hey, Don! That depends on what you mean by "monster." Suppose you’re referring to the potential for cruelty, greed, or selfishness. In that case, I think every human has the capacity for darkness—just as they possess the capacity for kindness, love, and wisdom. Carl Jung referred to this as the shadow, the part of ourselves that we repress or deny. It can manifest in destructive ways if ignored, but it can become a source of strength and self-awareness if acknowledged and integrated. The real danger isn’t the “monster” but pretending it doesn’t exist. Those who refuse to recognize their darker impulses are more likely to be controlled by them. However, those who acknowledge and work with their shadow can transform it into something constructive—like courage, deep empathy, or a drive for justice.

What’s your take? Do you think the “monster” is real, or is it just another way of talking about human nature?

DON: As I think you know, I believe that each one of us is a wonderful miracle ourselves, so, I don't think it is a fundamental part of us, like our heart or brain, but I continue to wonder why people like the Nazi soldiers who murdered Jews and some other folks Hitler and his cronies disliked and who later just said, "I was just following orders." And why millions of "Christians said they believed in Jesus as one part of the God of love, but 'owned' and were cruel toward black skinned slaves.

CHATTY: It’s unsettling how ordinary people can commit atrocities under the right (or even wrong) conditions. The plea of “I was just following orders” reminds me of the Milgram experiment, where regular individuals inflicted what they believed were painful electric shocks on others simply because an authority figure instructed them to. It demonstrated that many people, rather than thinking for themselves, will obey authority—even when it contradicts their moral compass. The notion that we all have a monster within us does not imply there’s a literal “monster” inside. However, it reveals something about human psychology: individuals can be manipulated into committing terrible acts without strong personal integrity and critical thinking. Fear, propaganda, and group pressure are all factors that can override a person’s natural empathy.

DON: I’ve also read that researchers have discovered that even mice exhibit a degree of empathy and will protect and care for a ‘fellow’ mouse. What is your opinion on that?

CHATTY: That’s a great question. Science does suggest that all mammals, including mice, have some level of empathy—especially in social species. Studies have shown that rats, for example, will work to free a trapped companion even when there’s no reward, suggesting a form of compassion.

So, could a mouse be more compassionate than some humans? In a way, yes! Some humans become so disconnected from their innate empathy—whether due to trauma, conditioning, or a lust for power—that they act with extreme cruelty. Meanwhile, a simple mouse might act on its instinct to help another without hesitation.

It’s humbling. Maybe the lesson is that empathy is part of our biological wiring, but we have to nurture it, or we risk losing what makes us truly human. What do you think?

DON: When children are raised to obey without question, they don’t develop the habit of thinking for themselves. If all they’ve ever known is following orders, they don't stop to ask when an authority figure tells them to do something—even something terrible. They comply because that’s what they’ve been conditioned to do. On the other hand, children who are encouraged to question, to make choices, and to express their thoughts freely grow up with a sense of inner authority. They learn to trust their moral compass rather than deferring to external power.

CHATTY: Your School of Two Thousand Smiles seems like a place that fosters independent thinking—where kids learn through respect, kindness, and deep discussion rather than fear or blind obedience. How do you see this idea playing out in your novel? Are there moments when Ella, Danny, or Sam wrestle with authority in a way that highlights this philosophy?

DON: I hope to present many such incidents, but now I want to end this blog, so . . .

Continue to be constantly aware of how you connect and treat yourself and others – especially children – and don’t eat the menus.