11–20 of 81 posts
> These findings contradict the commonly-held idea that killing is an 'unnatural' act for humans that inevitably inflicts a moral injury on the individual, the researchers write in Armed Forces and Society. > "There is a widespread belief in society that taking the life of another person goes against human nature, and that this will easily create what psychotraumatology refers to as 'moral injuries'," said Nordstrand…
I would be surprised if there were any universal sense of moral injury. If the child grows up with warrior morals, they will not worry about opponent's death.
The kind of soldier matters I think. For example Russia has been specifically recruiting prisoners convicted of very violent crimes.
Time plays a factor that may not be well controlled for here. As you get older the actions you have taken and the events you have participated in can impact you in new ways.
Fucking boring.
But I'm no killer, just a guy who spent a few months in a civil war, and met a lot of people who met the Hemingway quote:
"Those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it never care for anything else thereafter.""commonly-held idea that killing is an 'unnatural' act for humans" Say what? It may be one of the most natural acts for humans as far as history shows
I don't think killing is a natural act. Most people throughout history died from disease, not war. In the past, if you killed someone, like in a battle, there is a good chance you're going to die in the next battle of the military campaign. Few soldiers survived the military campaigns of the past. Maybe that's why we don't hear much about PTSD among past soldiers.
"commonly-held idea that killing is an 'unnatural' act for humans" Say what? It may be one of the most natural acts for humans as far as history shows
I don't think killing is a natural act. Most people throughout history died from disease, not war. In the past, if you killed someone, like in a battle, there is a good chance you're going to die in the next battle of the military campaign. Few soldiers survived the military campaigns of the past. Maybe that's why we don't hear much about PTSD among past soldiers.
Most actions do or don't suit circumstances, rather than this being something inherent.
I might take lots of pictures outside at a festival or go pee inside a bathroom, but probably not the reverse.
(See also, the fundamental attribution error.)
Time plays a factor that may not be well controlled for here. As you get older the actions you have taken and the events you have participated in can impact you in new ways.
Yep, fairly common to hear about old veterans who will not discuss what they did in combat, one could guess because they don't want to resurface those memories.