History's holocausts often result from the activities of those who fight in the hope of bettering their group, their nation, or humanity. Man has always been prepared not only to kill but also to die for good, bad or completely futile causes. Our indignation and righteousness are linked to a concern for our fellows, an altruism basic to humanity. To know that others are atheists, communists, fascists, or capitalists may be sufficient to focus indignation on them, to interpret the defeat of their interest as a victory for human progress and justice. In other words, our protective need links to interests specifying the sociopolitical acts or conditions that will improve human welfare, and casting particular blame on other groups, individuals, or other classes for depriving people of this welfare.
Focused blame connected to a political slogan is a potent situation of conflict.
But righteousness is not the preserve of one party to a conflict. All parties may feel that they have justice and God on their side and that humanity's welfare sits on their shoulders. Moral conflicts are so intense and bitter because all sides sincerely feel that they are right, that what they are doing will better humanity. They believe that a defeat of their ideas is a defeat of what is Good and Just. For full reference to the book and the list of its contents in hypertext, click book .