The Psychology of War: Could YOU Make a Moral Choice in Wartime? episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 16, 2025 · 1H 26M

The Psychology of War: Could YOU Make a Moral Choice in Wartime?

from The Michael Shermer Show · host Michael Shermer, Nicholas Wright

War begins in the human mind long before it unfolds on the battlefield. In this episode, Michael Shermer sits down with Nicholas Wright, a neurologist, neuroscientist, security strategist, and advisor to the Pentagon, to explore one of the biggest questions of our time: why do humans fight, and how does the brain shape violence, leadership, and geopolitical decision-making? Nicholas Wright is a member of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and a neuroscientist who researches the brain, technology, and security at University College London, Georgetown University, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. He worked as a neurology doctor in London and Oxford, and has published numerous academic papers which have been covered by the BBC and The New York Times. His new book is Warhead: How the Brain Shapes War and War Shapes the Brain.

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The Psychology of War: Could YOU Make a Moral Choice in Wartime?

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This episode is 1 hour and 26 minutes long.

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This episode was published on November 16, 2025.

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War begins in the human mind long before it unfolds on the battlefield. In this episode, Michael Shermer sits down with Nicholas Wright, a neurologist, neuroscientist, security strategist, and advisor to the Pentagon, to explore one of the biggest...

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