Human Behaviour Lesson from reading Dostoevsky (Part 2)
In the last article, I gave you the first part of this post. If you haven’t checked it, please check it out here. This is part 2 of the human behavior lesson from Dostoevsky.
Humans are complicated & if you live in this world, no matter what you do, you gotta deal with humans. So I believe knowing them & their motivation helps to reduce chaos in your life, even though you will never be able to predict it totally as Saposky has said in his human behavioural biology class at Stanford.
For instance –
Raskolnikov kills for an idea, not money — then is torn apart by guilt he can’t explain. Ivan Karamazov rejects God, yet cannot bear a world without Him — that’s the human paradox. We don’t act from reason or instinct alone; we act from shadows inside us that we don’t fully see. Our biology pulls us one way, our beliefs another, and our trauma bends it all sideways. We wear masks, lie to ourselves, and often don’t know why we do what we do. Like in Joker or Crime and Punishment, madness and meaning blur into one. Science says hormones, psychology says unconscious, Dostoevsky says soul. Humans aren’t puzzles to be solved — they are cathedrals of mystery to be entered.
So without any further ado, let’s dive into the topic –
guys, it turned out I am using a lot of movies (probably will use), novels, essays, and references. If it sparks your interest, you can go & read the book or watch the movie as a recommendation. I think you won’t be disappointed.
1. Humans are drawn to destructive ideologies if they promise meaning.
Story: In Demons, lost young men join Verkhovensky’s violent revolutionary group because it gives them purpose.
Memory Hook: Sheep running toward a wolf waving a flag called “Purpose.”
example: Young people joining extremist cults or radical political groups mostly in their college years, not always because of the ideas, but because it offers belonging and direction.
In the movie Fight Club, Tyler Durden offers angry, lost men a pseudo-religion of chaos. His ideas are seductive because they provide identity, belonging, and purpose — even though they’re destructive. “Project Mayhem” echoes Verkhovensky’s revolutionary cell: “We are the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world.”
2. People surrender freedom for the illusion of certainty.
Story: The radicals hand over decisions to their leader rather than wrestle with doubt.
Memory Hook: Dropping your steering wheel because someone shouts, “I’ll drive!”
Example: We often hear the story of Employees obeying toxic bosses without question because “at least someone knows what to do.” Or people follow conspiracy movements because they offer simple answers.
In the movie The Matrix, the blue pill represents certainty, comfort, and slavery. The red pill — freedom, truth, and responsibility. Cypher (betrayer): “Ignorance is bliss.” He wants back into the Matrix because freedom is too hard.
3. Charisma can enslave reason.
Story: Stavrogin, enigmatic and detached, controls others without ideology — they fall under his aura.
Memory Hook: Moths burning in candlelight.
Examples: everybody knows this from political leaders & celebrities. A charismatic influencer or leader convincing followers to buy products, vote, or act against their own interests, purely because of charm. Cult Leaders (e.g., Jim Jones, Charles Manson). Their charisma overrode common sense, moral clarity, and even survival instinct. Followers were not persuaded by logic — they were hypnotized by presence.
The Sirens – Greek Myth Sailors crash on rocks, not because they believe the message, but because they cannot resist the pull. Their voices are irresistible — not because of content, but allure
4. Weak men crave domination by stronger figures.
Story: Minor figures in Demons obey Verkhovensky because they fear standing alone.
Memory Hook: A puppet begging for strings.
example: People who constantly defer to domineering friends, partners, or politicians, preferring “safety in obedience” over independent thinking.
In the film The Devil Wears Prada, her staff accepts humiliation to avoid the terror of rejection or irrelevance. Not revolutionary, but social: Andy (initially) and others obey Miranda Priestly not because she’s right, but because she’s intimidating and powerful.
The famous mythology David & the Goliath (The Israelites Asking for a King (1 Samuel 8)) God warns: “They have not rejected you, but me… They are rejecting freedom.” Despite being led by prophets, the people begged for a king. Why? They want someone to take responsibility, fight battles, and decide for them.
5. Fanaticism can mask inner emptiness.
Story: In demons, Verkhovensky preaches revolution, but his ideology hides his hollow self.
Memory Hook: A loud, hollow drum.
example: People online who scream dogmatic slogans but collapse privately in loneliness or depression. The anger is a mask for emptiness.
In the movie American History X, Derek, a violent neo-Nazi leader, later realizes his ideology was a mask for grief, rage, and father loss. His fanaticism was a shield for vulnerability and emotional confusion.
6. Humans are capable of violence in the name of ideals.
Story: The revolutionaries murder Shatov “for the cause.”
Memory Hook: A mask labeled “justice” covering a bloodstained face.
Examples: Terrorist acts committed under the banner of religion or politics — people believing violence is justified because of “higher ideals.” In psychology, there is an experiment called the Stanford prison experiment. This proves it all.
7. People can be seduced by chaos disguised as liberation.
Story: Demon characters want to “destroy society” to be free, but it collapses into chaos.
Memory Hook: Smashing a clock and realizing you’ve lost time itself.
Examples: Social revolts that begin as “freedom movements” but descend into destruction without creating lasting order, or even personal lives where someone quits a stable job impulsively, thinking it’s liberation, only to find despair.
The biggest example is from history – The French Revolution (Began with ideals of “liberty, equality, fraternity.” Ended in the Reign of Terror, where thousands were guillotined) “for the people”- Stalinist Russia, (Truth became dangerous — only the idea mattered, Millions purged, imprisoned, or executed in the name of protecting socialism, George Orwell has two great books on this topic, which I have read: Animal Farm & 1984). The Arb Spring (started at hopeful uprising). Also, the Albert Bandura study of moral disengagement.
8. Ego pride makes people resist reconciliation.
Story: The Underground Man humiliates Liza rather than accept her love, because pride cannot allow vulnerability.
Memory Hook: A starving man refusing bread because it’s kindly offered.
Example: A friend refusing to apologize in a fight even when they know they’re wrong, because admitting fault feels like humiliation.
In the film Good Will Hunting, Will pushes away Skylar, the woman who loves him. He mocks her, lies, runs — not because he doesn’t love her, but because he doesn’t feel worthy of being loved.
A classic example of this is Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen. Mr. Darcy initially rejects Elizabeth, not because she’s unworthy, but because his pride can’t admit his feelings. You can read most of the classics for free on Apple Books(iBooks).
9. Groups magnify the cruelty that individuals might avoid alone.
Story: The mob in Demons becomes far more violent than any single member would be alone.
Memory Hook: A single match flickers, a pile becomes a wildfire.
Example: Online trolling — where normal people, behind anonymity and in groups, write cruel things they’d never say face to face.
In the film Joker. The crowd, wearing clown masks, destroys and attacks — not because each member is cruel, but because together, they lose moral control. Arthur Fleck’s personal breakdown sparks citywide riots.
10. Envy fuels destruction.
Story: Dostoevsky’s characters sabotage others simply because they lack what others have. Raskolnikov envies ordinary people’s peace.
Memory Hook: A man burning down his house just to ruin his neighbor’s garden.
Examples: Workplace backstabbing — a colleague spreads rumors not to win, but just to ensure others don’t succeed.
In the movie Black Swan, her desire for perfection turns destructive — both inward and outward. Nina’s descent is fueled partly by envy of Lily’s freedom and sensuality.
In Othello – Shakespeare.e His manipulation destroys Othello, Desdemona, and himself. Iago doesn’t just hate Othello — he envies his honor and love
Now this was part 2 of the 10-part series, and we are absolutely thrilled to immerse ourselves in these captivating insights! We want to hear your thoughts in the comments because your feedback means the world to us. Moreover, we wholeheartedly invite you to share your personal stories where you’ve encountered these transformative insights in your life. Every single one of you holds unique experiences that can enrich our collective understanding of the topic. Your perspectives and stories not only infuse our discussions with depth but also ignite a powerful sense of community among us. So, let your voice resonate and join us in this exhilarating journey as we uncover the many dimensions of these insights together. We are eager to listen to your thoughts and stories, so please share them with us!
