philosophical analysis on the psychology of terrorism and the environment:
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1. Terrorism as a Response to Existential Crisis
From an existentialist perspective, many terrorist acts can stem from a sense of meaninglessness, helplessness, and alienation. When individuals cannot find their place in a materialistic modern world, they may be drawn into extremist ideologies as a way to assert themselves or "restore justice."
> “Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself.” – Jean-Paul Sartre
Terrorism, in this sense, is a negative form of existential choice by a person who sees no other escape within the current value system.
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2. Ideology as Environmental Conditioning
Social psychology and postmodern philosophy suggest that individuals are shaped by their environments—family, education, media, and politics. In oppressive, unjust, or war-torn settings, extremist groups can manipulate individuals with narratives of "righteousness," "sacrifice," and "remembrance."
> Michel Foucault argued that power doesn’t just repress—it produces "truth." In the context of terrorism, right and wrong are often reversed, and psychological confusion takes root.
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3. Environmental Destruction as a Driver of Radicalization
From an eco-philosophical view, environmental destruction (warfare, displacement, poverty, loss of land) not only causes material suffering but also breaks the spiritual and cultural foundations of communities—creating fertile ground for resentment and extremism.
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4. Terrorism as a Mirror of Civilization’s Shadow
C.G. Jung introduced the concept of the "Shadow"—the repressed, unconscious part of individuals or societies. Terrorism can be seen as a collective manifestation of this shadow: anger, injustice, violence—elements suppressed within a culture that eventually erupt on its margins.
> “What you resist, persists.” – Jung
Ignoring the environmental roots of terrorism is also ignoring the dark reflections of our own civilization.