Reddit reviews Why They Kill: The Discoveries of a Maverick Criminologist
We found 5 Reddit comments about Why They Kill: The Discoveries of a Maverick Criminologist. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Because most people are incapable of killing.
http://www.amazon.com/Why-They-Kill-Discoveries-Criminologist/dp/0375702482
The prevalence of sociopathy in the population may range from 1 - 4%. This is likely a congenital defect, and seems to ablate the capacity to have love or empathy for others, leading to a lack of conscience. For more information, I recommend The Sociopath Next Door.
Not all people are born as blank slates. Cognitive function is regulated by organic factors as well as environmental factors, and we cannot neglect the influence of organic factors.
Though, to be clear, it is possible for otherwise normal people to be made violent - this process was detailed fairly well in the book Why They Kill, which I also recommend.
It always sort of baffled me too. Myself, I'd think that injuring my murderer, even if only in a trivial way, would be the way to go.
The best answer I ever found to that question was in Why They Kill. Most people are so deeply conditioned to avoid conflict, particularly violent conflict, that they'll cooperate just to get a few extra minutes of life, even after they realize that death is inevitable.
'Why They Kill' by Richard Rhodes is great
No, I have only watched the TED talk. I have read Leonard Beeghley's Homicide:A Sociological Explanation, Richard Rhodes' Why They Kill, and Konrad Lorenz's On Aggression. All, books worth picking up if you are interested in this subject, which you obviously are.