Why we kill: Understanding violence across cultures and disciplines

N. Loucks, S.S. Holt, J.R. Adler

Research output: Book/ReportBook

Abstract

Infanticide, serial killings, war, terrorism, abortion, honour killings, euthanasia, suicide bombings and genocide; all involve taking of life. Put most simply, all involve killing one or more other people. Yet cultural context influences heavily how one perceives all of these, and indeed, some readers of this paragraph may already have thought: 'But surely thatdoesn't belong with those others, that's not really killing.'

Why We Kill examines violence in many of its manifestations, exploring how culture plays a role in people's understanding of violent action.

From the first chapter, which tries to understand multiple forms of domestic homicide including infanticide, filicide, spousal homicide and honour killings, to the final chapter's bone-chilling account of the massacre at Murambi in Rwanda, this fascinating book makes compelling reading.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherWillan Publishing
Number of pages216
ISBN (Electronic)9781843929345
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2009

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