Why The Wars Will Continue - Revenge

In "The Science of Revenge," legal scholar James Kimmel Jr. explores the deep-rooted psychology behind cycles of violence, warning that wars cannot truly end so long as the drive for revenge persists. 

Kimmel argues that revenge is more than an impulsive reaction—it is wired into the human mind, fueled by neurochemical rewards that make retaliation feel gratifying, even righteous. This cycle, Kimmel suggests, traps warring parties in a feedback loop: each act of violence generates fresh grievances, justifying further attacks in the name of justice or honor.

Kimmel points out that desire for payback “can prolong conflict indefinitely, even after the original wrongs have faded from memory.” 

As groups identify and define themselves against their enemies, grudges become collective, woven into culture and identity. Diplomatic solutions and peace treaties often falter, he explains, because they rarely address this underlying urge for vengeance. 

Lasting peace, according to Kimmel, requires societies to confront and break the psychological chain of retaliation—to “forgive not because the other side deserves mercy, but because revenge ensures more suffering for everyone.”

Without this recognition, Kimmel warns, the world will witness wars that pause, but never fully end, condemned to repeat as each side seeks redress for hurts both real and imagined.