Why We Kill
Understanding Violence Across Cultures and Disciplines
Nancy Loucks editor Joanna R Adler editor Sally Smith Holt editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Published:31st Mar '20
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£39.99(9780367271664)
Capital punishment, serial killings, war, terrorism, abortion, honour killings, euthanasia, suicide bombings, war, and genocide: all involve the taking of life. Put most simply, all involve killing other people. However, cultural context heavily influences heavily how people perceive these acts, and most people reading this paragraph will likely disagree on the extent to which these "count" as killing.
For such an evolved species, humans can be violent far beyond the point of humanity. Why We Kill examines this violence in its many forms, exploring how culture plays a role in people’s understanding and definition of violent action. From the first chapter, which examines "conventional" homicide, to the final chapter’s bone-chilling account of the Rwandan genocide, this fascinating book makes compelling reading.
"This is an interesting and provocative book which will prove useful for readers in all areas of academic study…. The interdisciplinary approach coupled with varying types of killing provides a fresh outlook on why individuals kill in the first instance. Why We Kill is enthusiastically recommended to anyone interested in the study of killing or fascinated with the reasons for, and justifications of, why people behave the way they do."
– Rachelle M. Larocque, Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge, in The Howard Journal49(5), December 2010 (review of the first edition)
"The essays are consistently informed and insightful, and the editors have succeeded in exploring the ‘contextual, multi-layered and complex manifestations’ of killing in this timely volume that will be useful to scholars and accessible to general readers. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries."
– Lloyd Steffen, Professor of Religion Studies and Director, Center for Dialogue, Ethics and Spirituality, Lehigh University, in CHOICE 47(11), July 2010 (review of the first edition)
ISBN: 9780367271657
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 590g
226 pages
2nd edition