On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

Given the innate resistance to killing, what factors enable atrocities to take place? How, for example, does Grossman explain the My Lai massacre in the Vietnam War? Are there any other possible factors not included in his analysis?

How does the military invoke classical and operant conditioning to train soldiers to kill? Is Grossman correct to draw an analogy with the impact of violent media on modern youth? Why or why not?

How do physical and emotional distance enable killing? What are the ethical implications of the increasing use of distant killing techniques in modern warfare?

How does Grossman depict the 2% who do not feel remorse for killing legitimate targets in war and who can withstand extended combat? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the presence of this 2%?

Why does Grossman compare killing and sex? Do you find his comparisons convincing? Why or why not?

How do Grossman’s depictions of warfare compare to popular Hollywood representations of violence? Do you believe that these representations of violence in entertainment are inaccurate or problematic? Why or why not?

Grossman argues that societal support for combat veterans is crucial to their recovery and rehabilitation after war. In your view, what forms of support should be offered? How?

What factors do you believe contribute to violent crime in the 21st-century US? How could these factors be effectively addressed?