The idea behind the study was to try to understand how an entire nation - Germany - could go berserk with hatred and sadism. Scientific or not, the burden of proof lies with those who dispute Zimbardo’s (and Milgram’s) findings, because they have been borne out so many times in so many different contexts. Their work has never been more relevant than it is now, as we witness the rise of Trumpism.
What alternative explanations would you propose?