Chapter Club - "Our Brains At War" by Mari Fitzduff

How do our brains shape the complex dynamics of conflict and war? "Our Brains at War" is a pioneering work advocating a humanistic approach to understanding war. It posits that human instincts and emotions, rather than pure logic, largely drive wars and political decisions. This book delves into the psychological underpinnings of politics and conflict, aiming to understand rather than demonize human behaviour.

In its exploration, it addresses group dynamics, subjective truths, and the neuroscience behind decision-making processes, offering insightful pathways to peacebuilding. This comprehensive analysis not only enhances our grasp of political psychology but also challenges us to think critically about the roots of conflict and the potential for resolution.

• Genres: Non-Fiction, Psychology/Neuroscience, Political Science.
• Pages: 216, hardcover.

📌 Our Reading Goal: The first four chapters:

1. "On Being Mortal"
2. "The Amygdala Hijack"
3. "Us and Others"
4. "My Truth or Your Truth?"

Looking forward to exploring the enriching themes of the book together!

+++ PS: If you are a student, this book is available through the university's subscription. +++

📜 To foster a fruitful, respectful, and inspiring conversation together, please be mindful of the following ground rules:

• Attendance at the chapter club requires reading the first 4 chapters before the meeting.
• Listen respectfully, without interrupting.
• Listen actively and with an ear to understanding others' views.
• Comment on ideas, not individuals.
• Focus on learning rather than debating. The goal is not to find agreement, but to gain insights from the diverse perspectives we each bring to the table. Comment in order to share information, not to persuade.
• Avoid blame, speculation, and inflammatory language.
• Allow everyone the chance to speak.
• Avoid no-shows and last-minute drop-outs to ensure fairness to those on the waitlist and the organizer. Be advised that a no-show or a drop-out may result in your exclusion from the next meetup.
• Refrain from attending the event if you're not on the attendee list. This ensures fairness to those on the waitlist and helps the organizer.
• Be mindful and present during the discussion. Avoid using your phone; after all, the beauty lies in face-to-face social interaction.

🆕 New Venue for Curious Thinkers

🏠 Our upcoming gathering has found a cosy new home at EineWeltHaus! Instead of meeting in a noisy bar, we'll have our own quiet room with a perfect atmosphere for our exchanges and inspiration to flourish.

💰 To support this change, I'll be asking for a small contribution of €5 per person for the rental space and the fees for the Meetup. This move means we won't need to worry about bar tabs or finding a quiet corner amidst the bustle.