Tribute to Philip Zimbardo: A Mentor, a Visionary, a Hero
26. November 2024
Ein Beitrag unseres Vorstandsvorsitzenden Sven Fritze zum Tod von Professor Philip G. Zimbardo
In 2015, I founded Helden e.V. in Germany, driven by a vision to empower children and teenagers to embrace civil courage while addressing the pressing challenges of cyberbullying and racism. At the time, I had no idea that my journey would soon intertwine with that of Philip Zimbardo – a man whose groundbreaking work and deeply human approach would forever change my life and the trajectory of my mission.
One evening, over dinner, I learned about a project in the United States that echoed the goals I was striving to achieve. The name Philip Zimbardo immediately resonated with me, as his psychological studies had profoundly shaped the field. But the idea of reaching out to him, let alone meeting him, seemed almost unimaginable. Still, I sent him an email, explaining my work and my aspirations. To my surprise, just days later, he invited me to meet him in Nijmegen. That meeting turned into several days of meaningful conversations and invaluable insights. It was the beginning of a connection that would deeply influence both my professional journey and my understanding of human nature.
Three qualities of Phil will forever stand out in my memory:
First, his fearless willingness to confront the darkest aspects of human behavior. Phil never shied away from asking the hard questions: Why do people do bad things? What drives ordinary individuals to commit acts of evil? His courage to delve into the depths of these moral and psychological abysses was not rooted in mere curiosity but in a genuine desire to help humanity learn and grow. It was this commitment that allowed him to illuminate not just the mechanisms of evil, but also the pathways to goodness, resilience, and heroism.
Second, his optimism and humor. Despite having dedicated much of his career to understanding the darker sides of human behavior, Phil radiated a lightness and warmth that were truly infectious. The time I spent with him in Nijmegen and later in San Francisco was not only intellectually stimulating but also filled with laughter and a sense of ease. He had a remarkable ability to balance the seriousness of his work with an unshakable belief in the potential for good in every person.
Lastly, I will always remember his generosity and kindness. Phil had an openness that made everyone around him feel valued and welcome. On one occasion, while driving across the Golden Gate Bridge during a road trip, I spontaneously emailed him to ask if he had some time to meet. Despite his busy schedule and the fact that he was about to leave for a flight to Poland, he invited me to his home in San Francisco that very day. We sat in his kitchen, chatted, and shared cake – a simple moment that perfectly encapsulated his warmth and accessibility. Another time, when my organization needed support for government funding, he sent me a glowing letter of recommendation almost immediately after I mentioned it to him.
Now, after more than a decade of working in the field of heroism training, I can confidently say that Phil Zimbardo has been one of the greatest inspirations in my life. His pioneering work not only shaped my understanding of human nature but also gave me a roadmap for creating real, meaningful change.
Phil’s vision to “seed the Earth with heroes” will forever guide my work. I am profoundly grateful to have walked a part of this journey alongside him, learning from his wisdom, his kindness, and his unwavering belief in the power of humanity.
Thank you for everything, Phil. You were, and always will be, a hero to me and to so many others. Your legacy will live on in the countless lives you have touched and the heroes you have inspired. Rest in peace.
Sven Fritze (President of Helden e.V. in Germany)
