I think the point you raised about homicide is important. There’s a sense in which getting revenge on your political opponent by making a comeback and beating him is a substitute for just trying to kill him, which for most of human history was probably the norm, and in some places still is. I totally agree our motivations are complicated…
I think the point you raised about homicide is important. There’s a sense in which getting revenge on your political opponent by making a comeback and beating him is a substitute for just trying to kill him, which for most of human history was probably the norm, and in some places still is. I totally agree our motivations are complicated, but feeling the need to take revenge due to being wronged or publicly humiliated has got to be one of the most powerful motivators of all.
Re: norms against humiliation, I think the Talmud almost equates the act of humiliating others with murder.
I think the point you raised about homicide is important. There’s a sense in which getting revenge on your political opponent by making a comeback and beating him is a substitute for just trying to kill him, which for most of human history was probably the norm, and in some places still is. I totally agree our motivations are complicated, but feeling the need to take revenge due to being wronged or publicly humiliated has got to be one of the most powerful motivators of all.
Re: norms against humiliation, I think the Talmud almost equates the act of humiliating others with murder.