Book launch: Why we fight

Former British Army officer, Dr Mike Martin, launches his book, ‘Why We Fight’. In his talk, Dr Mike Martin will contrast the latest in cognitive research with his experiences of combat in Afghanistan, and offer up a unique view of what causes war.

Mike will talk about how the brain has evolved to seek status and belonging, and how this drives human beings, and particularly men, to make war and commit other forms of violence, including terrorism.

Furthermore, Mike will examine the effect that moral codes, religions, and shared ideologies have on increasing or reducing violence in the long term.

Mike will conclude by asking what this means for the future of all types of war: from global conflict to insurgency, and from civil war to terrorism.