Agentic state refers to a mental state in which an individual is acting as an agent for someone else, often an authority figure, and feels a diminished sense of personal responsibility for their actions.
A person in an agentic state is likely to be obedient and compliant to the instructions of the authority figure, even if these actions conflict with their personal values or morals. They may feel a sense of detachment from their actions, as if they are simply carrying out orders rather than making choices themselves.
For example, a soldier who follows orders without questioning the ethics or morality of their actions is in an agentic state. Similarly, an employee who carries out tasks assigned by their boss, even if they don't agree with them, is also in an agentic state.