Understanding Conflict and War Volume 1: The Dynamic Psychological Field

Are war and violence inevitable? If not, what can be done to prevent them? These questions - among the most basic issues underlying contemporary political morality - are explored by Professor Rummel. His analysis is based on extensive research in philosophy, psychology and the social sciences, and the results of fifteen years of quantitative research into the empirical nature of conflict, violence and war. Understanding Conflict and War -1: The Dynamic Psychological Field will develop and consider a philosophical, empirical, and normative theory of war. In this volume Professor Rummel established the psychological and associated philosophical foundations for his theory. The author grounds his empirical research in the nature of reality and of human perception, both of which are necessary to any understanding of violence and war. He then explores man's psychological nature, emphasizing the role of personality, situation, expectation, and especially self-esteem. Field theory integrates his approach, and is contrasted against the work of philosophers, psychologists, and sociologists, such as Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, Carl Rogers, Kurt Lewin, Raymond Cattell, Pitirim Sorokin, Immanuel Kant, and Andrew Ushenko. This volume concludes with a consideration of the self, will and freedom and a comparison of materialism, idealism, and humanism with his own perspective, which he calls intentional humanism.