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Peace and War

All good things are more fragile than bad things

Leadership
The Winter War Ghost Haunts Putin's War Today

David P. Barash Ph.D. on March 11, 2022

"Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it." Russia's war against Ukraine repeats many aspects of its earlier war against Finland, in which Goliath nearly blew it.

"Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it." Russia's war against Ukraine repeats many aspects of its earlier war against Finland, in which Goliath nearly blew it.

Dreaming
A Cure (Sort of) for Nuclear Nightmares

David P. Barash Ph.D. on March 10, 2022

If you love this planet, you owe it to yourself to learn the basics of nuclear weapons and the struggle to contain them. Fortunately, there is an excellent new primer.

If you love this planet, you owe it to yourself to learn the basics of nuclear weapons and the struggle to contain them. Fortunately, there is an excellent new primer.

Punishment
Does Capital Punishment "Fit the Crime?"

David P. Barash Ph.D. on January 29, 2021

Max Weber said that the state had a "monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force.” But is that true? Are executions "legitimate?"

Max Weber said that the state had a "monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force.” But is that true? Are executions "legitimate?"

Punishment
Capital Punishment: Killing to Stop Killing?

David P. Barash Ph.D. on January 19, 2021

Part 1: The Trump Administration began executing federal prisoners for the first time in 17 years. Let's look at the phenomenon, starting with why most people obey most laws.

Part 1: The Trump Administration began executing federal prisoners for the first time in 17 years. Let's look at the phenomenon, starting with why most people obey most laws.

Suicide
Our Gun Culture Creates the Problems It Purports to Solve

David P. Barash Ph.D. on January 5, 2021

Part of the gun dilemma is that the more people have guns, the more fear people have, which leads to yet more guns. Meanwhile, we get murders, suicides, and lethal accidents.

Part of the gun dilemma is that the more people have guns, the more fear people have, which leads to yet more guns. Meanwhile, we get murders, suicides, and lethal accidents.

Fear
Why Don’t We Have Stronger Gun Laws?

David P. Barash Ph.D. on January 3, 2021

The U.S. is awash in guns, and even after Covid, Americans will probably continue to kill each other at a rate exceeding that of any other developed country.

The U.S. is awash in guns, and even after Covid, Americans will probably continue to kill each other at a rate exceeding that of any other developed country.

Intelligence
The Threat That Leaves Something to Chance

David P. Barash Ph.D. on October 26, 2020

One of the most important thinkers proposed a hair-raising way to get your way in an argument. He intended it as advice on how to "use" nuclear weapons.

One of the most important thinkers proposed a hair-raising way to get your way in an argument. He intended it as advice on how to "use" nuclear weapons.

Wisdom
Biological Wisdom Coming at Last

David P. Barash Ph.D. on June 2, 2020

Our biological ignorance has been projected on the wall, like a rat standing in front of a night-light. What shall we do about it?

Our biological ignorance has been projected on the wall, like a rat standing in front of a night-light. What shall we do about it?