'Sacred' rules of engagement defeat rationality in war

 "Do you believe that some principles are sacred? If you do, it could make you a hawk rather than a dove in time of war.

A new study suggests that most societies have 'sacred rules' for which their people would die rather than compromise. If people perceive one such rule to have been violated, they may feel morally obliged to retaliate against the wrongdoers – even if the retaliation does more harm than good."
via New Scientist/continue reading