Human Capacity for Violence: Understanding the Roots of Dehumanization and Systematic Torture

The human capacity for violence is a perplexing and often uncomfortable topic. While the majority of us navigate life with empathy and care for others, history and current events reveal instances where violence, dehumanization, and systematic torture become not only accepted but institutionalized. The ongoing tragedy in Syria serves as a harrowing example of where authoritarian systems have normalized practices of cruelty on a massive scale. How can individuals lose empathy, adopt violence as a way of life, and justify the dehumanization of others?

The Roots of Human Violence

Humans are social beings. Our survival has historically depended on collaboration and empathy. Yet, under certain conditions, individuals and societies can develop a disturbing capacity for violence. Research points to several contributing factors:

1. Social and Psychological Conditioning: Systems of violence often rely on conditioning individuals to obey authority unquestioningly. Experiments such as the Stanford Prison Experiment and Stanley Milgram’s obedience studies demonstrate how ordinary people can commit acts of cruelty when placed in specific circumstances, particularly under the influence of an authority figure.
2. Dehumanization: A critical step in enabling violence is dehumanizing the victim. Dehumanization strips individuals of their identity and reduces them to labels like "enemy," "traitor," or "terrorist." This process allows perpetrators to rationalize their actions as necessary or even righteous.
3. Fear and Propaganda: In authoritarian regimes, fear is weaponized to maintain control. Leaders manipulate narratives, portraying groups as threats to national security, stability, or moral values. In Syria, for instance, government propaganda has consistently framed opposition groups and activists as existential threats, justifying the use of extreme measures.
4. Normalization Through Repetition: When acts of violence are repeated and sanctioned by those in power, they become normalized. Over time, individuals involved in these systems may begin to see their actions as routine or even necessary for a greater purpose.

Systematic Torture: A Tool of Control

Systematic torture in authoritarian regimes is not random. It is a calculated tool to instill fear, suppress dissent, and maintain power. In Syria, torture has been widely documented as part of the regime’s strategy to crush opposition. Prisoners are subjected to unspeakable cruelty in facilities where torture is institutionalized.

Why do some individuals not only participate in these acts but also appear to adopt them as a way of life? Studies on perpetrators of torture reveal several psychological mechanisms at play:

• Desensitization: Repeated exposure to violence dulls emotional responses, making it easier to continue. Unfortunately, nowadays, this is happening on a large scale, with our children exposing images and videos of violence in video games.
• Moral Disengagement: Perpetrators rationalize their actions as serving a higher cause, distancing themselves from the ethical implications.
• Group Dynamics: Being part of a group committing violence creates a sense of shared responsibility, reducing individual accountability.

Can Empathy Be Lost?

Empathy is a fundamental human trait, but it is not immutable. Under extreme conditions, such as prolonged exposure to propaganda or participation in violent systems, empathy can erode. Studies in neuroscience suggest that repeated acts of dehumanization and violence can alter brain function, reducing the capacity for empathy over time.

Reclaiming Humanity: Lessons from Syria and Beyond

While the Syrian case is a stark example of systematic violence, it also highlights the resilience of humanity. Survivors of torture, activists, and whistleblowers risk everything to expose the truth and seek justice. Their courage reminds us that empathy and compassion can persist even in the darkest circumstances.

To counter the normalization of violence, we must:

1. Promote Education: Teach critical thinking and empathy from an early age to build resilience against propaganda and dehumanization.
2. Foster Accountability: Support international mechanisms to hold perpetrators of violence accountable, such as war crime tribunals.
3. Support Survivors: Provide psychological and social support for survivors of violence and torture, helping them reintegrate and heal. Syria would be the frontline for this in the coming years as the horror of what happened there reveals its ugly face.
4. Challenge Systems of Oppression: Advocate for systemic changes to dismantle structures that enable violence and promote authoritarianism.

The capacity for violence exists within all humans, but so does the capacity for empathy and compassion. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to dehumanization and systematic torture is essential to preventing such atrocities. By fostering empathy, accountability, and justice, we can work toward a world where violence is not normalized but confronted and eradicated. The lessons from Syria—and history—must guide us in this effort.

# Syria #eyes on Syria?