War as a collective mental health issue
The book "The Psychology of War" by psychiatrist John T. McCurdy explains that war is a collective psychological illness driven by instincts and herd mentality, not solely by political or economic causes. It links war to an imbalance in psychological forces and emphasizes that true peace requires self-awareness, psychological education, and a deep understanding of oneself—rather than relying only on external solutions or legislation. The book also clarifies that primitive urges such as aggression and fear increase during wartime, and that a decline in rational control makes it easier to mobilize populations for war through slogans and propaganda. It concludes that addressing this phenomenon requires expanding loyalty, fostering internal understanding, and focusing on psychological education to comprehend the hidden forces that drive humans, thereby avoiding collective destruction.
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