In this paper, we will explore the social, cultural, religious and even genetic influences that drive the warrior culture and mindset. By blending historical examples, research papers, and my own personal experience I hope to shed some light on the question “Why do we fight?”
It is well known that all great empires were built on the backs of men and women who were willing to fight and die for someone else. The Romans, the Mongolians, even the United States of America all rose to power because they had large armies full of strong warriors. What is it that makes these people warriors? What can lead someone to cast aside safety and security, leave their friends and family behind, and lead a life that will almost certainly end violently?
As a United States Army Veteran of both the Afghan and Iraqi wars, this is a subject that has always intrigued me. When you are thousands of miles from home fighting an enemy you know very little about you begin to wonder, “How did I get here?”. Imagine if you will that instead of heading off to college or starting an entry level job the first time you left home you flew to a military base, had a rifle put in your hands, and had extremely dangerous people teach you how to kill with it. Instead of studying for exams you study combat manuals, instead of going on spring break you go to a war zone. What the hell would make someone do such a thing?
Table of Contents
1. Foreword
2. Part I - Society
3. Part II - Culture
4. Part III - Religion
5. Part IV - Family
6. Final Thoughts
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to explore the multifaceted influences that contribute to the formation of a warrior culture and mindset. By investigating social, cultural, religious, and genetic factors, the author seeks to provide insights into the fundamental question of why humans engage in warfare, bridging the gap between historical analysis and personal military experience.
- The role of media glorification and societal narratives in shaping perceptions of combat.
- Cultural reinforcement through historical traditions, holidays, and heritage.
- The influence of religious conviction and the concept of "holy war" on combat motivation.
- Biological and genetic predispositions, specifically the role of the "Warrior Gene" (MAOA).
Excerpt from the Book
Part IV - Family
It’s clear that our parents have a strong psychological influence on us as children but what if there is more to it than that? What if our parents’ influence was physiological as well as psychological? In the final portion of this paper I’d like to explore the role that our forefathers’ wisdom and teachings play in the development of a warrior. Mostly I will use this final section to dig into the possibility that our genetics are primarily responsible.
My father was a soldier, and his father before him, and so on and so on. There have been men and women from my family fighting in the US Military, in nearly every conflict, since our country was founded. And while I certainly grew up around many military men and women, my parents did their very best to push me away from a military career.
My Mother and Father wanted me to be an intellectual, they taught me that it was more important to solve my problems with words than violence (my Dad may never have wanted me to run from a fight but he encouraged me to seek more peaceful solutions). I was pushed to run for student government, join the debate team, study hard, and above all show empathy. For all their effort I was still obsessed with fighting. All I could think about in class or at debate practice was the Karate or wrestling practice I would have afterwards. While I was encouraged to avoid conflict I was inexplicably drawn towards it. I didn’t really understand why I was so aggressive but I do remember how my father explained it.
Summary of Chapters
Foreword: The author introduces the central inquiry regarding the origins of the warrior mindset, drawing upon his personal experience as a U.S. Army veteran.
Part I - Society: This section examines how societal inputs, such as media, cinema, and historical literature, glorify war and potentially condition individuals for combat.
Part II - Culture: The chapter explores how cultural traditions, historical legacies, and commemorative holidays perpetuate warrior values and create an affinity for conflict.
Part III - Religion: The text investigates the intersection of religious belief and warfare, highlighting how faith can serve as a powerful catalyst and motivator for combatants.
Part IV - Family: This chapter shifts focus to biological and hereditary factors, specifically exploring the potential genetic predisposition toward aggression, often termed the "Warrior Gene."
Final Thoughts: The author synthesizes the discussed influences and posits that human violence is likely a complex interaction of all explored factors, emphasizing the need for continued scientific inquiry.
Keywords
Warrior culture, combat mindset, military history, media influence, social conditioning, religious extremism, holy war, genetics, MAOA, warrior gene, aggression, psychology, warfare, human nature, behavioral science.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this paper?
The paper explores the origins of the warrior mindset and seeks to answer why humans engage in warfare by analyzing social, cultural, religious, and genetic influences.
What are the primary themes investigated in the text?
The core themes include the glorification of war in media, the cultural construction of warrior identities, the role of religious belief in justifying conflict, and the impact of genetics on aggressive behavior.
What is the ultimate research question posed by the author?
The primary research question is "Why do we fight?", which the author explores through a blend of historical research and personal reflection.
What methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a multidisciplinary approach, combining personal reflections from his military service with historical analysis and existing scientific literature.
What is addressed in the main body of the work?
The main body breaks down specific drivers of combat, starting from external societal and media influences, moving to cultural traditions and religious justifications, and concluding with internal genetic factors.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include warrior culture, combat mindset, genetic predisposition, MAOA (Warrior Gene), and the sociology of warfare.
How does the author connect religious faith to modern warfare?
The author argues that religion often provides a framework that emboldens soldiers, suggesting that modern conflicts, while often framed differently, frequently contain strong religious extremist elements similar to historical holy wars.
What role does the "Warrior Gene" play in the author's argument?
The author uses the "Warrior Gene" (MAOA) as a focal point in the final chapter to discuss the possibility that aggression is not solely a learned behavior, but potentially linked to biological and hereditary factors.
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- David Evans (Autor:in), 2016, Why Do We Fight? A Personal Academic Essay, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/345216
