title: The Psychology of War: Comprehending Its Mystique and Its Madness
author:  Lawrence Leshan 
description: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WAR is a stunning anatomy of a problem that the greatest thinkers have failed to solve, the question why humans so universally and frequently fight wars. Our wars have become more lethal, yet our affinity for war hasnt changed. <P>Unlike preceding attempts to explain the phenomenon psychologically, LeShan doesnt examine the motives that might lead to war, but the way in which our minds process information: When we go to war, our perception of realityof what we are and what is happening in the world around usis quite different from that which we commonly use in peacetime. <P>This mythic mode of thinking, as the author calls it, leads us to assumptions that we would not make during peacetime, such as: We are good, the other side is evil; we will triumph over evil if we win; our future will be safe and prosperous, etc. In the mythic mode, we develop a readiness to engage in war at all costeven if the outcome is highly doubtful or a non-aggressive solution possible.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/00001.jpeg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  “If we did all of the things we were capable of doing, we would astound
  ourselves.” – Thomas Edison
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ##  GETTING YOUR ACT TOGETHER IS WAR
  
  
  Only 3% of us have our act together because we’re not willing to go to war
  with ourselves to improve and become the person we’re capable of being. The
  person we’re meant to be. The person left behind once the nonsense is
  destroyed. We’re not willing to go to battle and fight for the mentality,
  behavior, habits, and life we want. We’re not willing endure the pain,
  separation, and loneliness of the path to getting better – the path very few
  take. We’re not willing to attack our limiting thoughts, beliefs, emotions,
  behavior, and habits and destroy them. We’re not willing to engage, conquer,
  and dominate the enemy – ourselves.
  
  
  Declaring war on yourself is anything but fun. It’s hell. It sucks. It’s
  painful. It’s unforgiving. You’re in a foreign land, the