Tab Article

Genre: Political Science, Sociology, Systems Theory
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Book Review:
This book is a thought-provoking and original exploration of human conflict that moves beyond physical causes like pollution or resources. Professor Anatol Rapoport introduces the powerful concept of the ''symbolic environment''—the non-material world of knowledge, science, art, and beliefs—and argues that it is a more powerful determinant of our condition than the physical world.

The book examines the philosophies of thinkers like Hobbes, Hegel, Marx, and Lenin, analyzing how systems of thought, when backed by power, create a logic of their own that is disastrously different from individual psychology. While complex, it concludes with a ''gleam of hope'' in growing skepticism toward concentrated power. A challenging but rewarding read for those interested in the deep, systemic roots of conflict and the power of ideas.