The Michael Shermer Show The Psychology of War: Could YOU Make a Moral Choice in Wartime?
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Nov 16, 2025 Nicholas Wright, a neurologist and neuroscientist with extensive experience in national security, dives into the complex interplay between the brain and warfare. He explores why humans engage in violence, touching on the brain's role in fear and decision-making. Wright also discusses the psychology of leadership exemplified by figures like Hitler, and why societies often do not resist atrocities. The conversation delves into the strategic implications of warfare, the nuances of human cooperation, and the challenges of nuclear deterrence.
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Violence Is Hard And Multi‑Layered
- Killing in war is psychologically difficult; many soldiers do not fire in combat.
- Multiple brain systems, from fear circuits to higher cognition, interact to produce violence or restraint.
Theory‑Of‑Mind Scales Societies
- Humans evolved exceptional theory-of-mind and cooperative machinery that lets large societies form.
- That same machinery can enable both cooperation and large-scale violence depending on context.
Data Sabotage Saved Lives In France
- Wright tells of René Carmille, who falsified census data to prevent German identification of Jews in France.
- He contrasts this with the Dutch, whose accurate records led to higher Jewish deaths there.
