Faces of the Enemy: Reflections of the Hostile Imagination by Sam Keen
Sam Keen, a social scientist, describes the psychology behind enmity, war, and violence. He also explains the enormous number of ways in which the homo hostilis (“hostile human”) dehumanizes its enemies through the use of propaganda, slander, and bigotry. Finally, he outlines a somewhat idealistic way out of the repetitive cycle of violence that we continually pass down from generation to generation. Using archived news footage, public service announcements, and political cartoons, Keen points out that there is a startling parallels between each historical conflict. From World War II, to the Vietnam War, to the Cold War, to Islamic and Christian Fundamentalism, and even to the current War on Terrorism, the same tactics of propaganda and bigotry get used over and over again. The first step, Keen explains, is for us to victimize ourselves. The next part is a three step process: blame, demonization, and finally dehumanization. By ultimately dehumanizing those whom we consider "the enemy," we can rationalize, and even celebrate, the murder of other human beings.
In the final chapter of the book, Keen describes "The Education of Homo Amicus ("friendly human")." He lays out key subjects to be covered and provides a series of study questions on the topics. Some of the key topics are: the study of peace, the poisonous nature of paranoia and propaganda, the clash between authority and individual conscience, the nature and (ab)use of power, living a compassionate life, the cultivation of listening and empathy, and effective conflict resolution. Unfortunately, he does not really answer any of the questions he outlines making for a very weak argument for change. He sees what needs to be done, but makes no assertion as to how we should get there, besides a very general, "we need to think differently."
Study Questions:
1) Using the questions he outlines in the final chapter, what do you think we can do as individuals and as a society to change the way we think about those we consider our "enemy"?
2) It is my personal opinion that this book seems to fall too greatly into the "anti-war" movement rather than fitting with the principles of Beyond War. It seems that Keen wants society to just magically "fall into peace." In what ways does this book fit in with the guiding principles of Beyond War?
In the final chapter of the book, Keen describes "The Education of Homo Amicus ("friendly human")." He lays out key subjects to be covered and provides a series of study questions on the topics. Some of the key topics are: the study of peace, the poisonous nature of paranoia and propaganda, the clash between authority and individual conscience, the nature and (ab)use of power, living a compassionate life, the cultivation of listening and empathy, and effective conflict resolution. Unfortunately, he does not really answer any of the questions he outlines making for a very weak argument for change. He sees what needs to be done, but makes no assertion as to how we should get there, besides a very general, "we need to think differently."
Study Questions:
1) Using the questions he outlines in the final chapter, what do you think we can do as individuals and as a society to change the way we think about those we consider our "enemy"?
2) It is my personal opinion that this book seems to fall too greatly into the "anti-war" movement rather than fitting with the principles of Beyond War. It seems that Keen wants society to just magically "fall into peace." In what ways does this book fit in with the guiding principles of Beyond War?
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