ABSTRACT

Up until now, we have mostly asked ourselves how people can overcome their demonizing tendencies in situations of psychological threat, from within or from without. But what about situations where there is an objective threat or attack? Is it possible to develop an effective nondemonic defense against actual violence? After all, it is obvious that the attacker harbors, at least temporarily, harmful intentions toward the attacked. Viewing the attacker negatively might then be vital; one must “see red” in order to lash out with all one’s might. Fighting without demonizing could then be actually harmful. In our view, however, an effective nondemonic fight is not only feasible, but also potentially more effective and immeasurably less destructive than any fight that is inspired by the demonic outlook.