ISIS and the challenge of nihilism

From an inside research on the motivations of ISIS militants: terrorism as a response to nihilism.

Q: Does this work have applications for policy or military strategy?

A: Decidedly. It would be useful for our politicians and pundits to realize that these people are not crazy, they’re not nihilists or brainwashed or losers. In fact, they argue that we’re the nihilists, because we have no moral values anymore.

Q: What’s it like interviewing terrorists? 

A: I’ve interviewed many people who have done terrible things, including jihadis, white supremacists. And you’d be surprised how often they’re just nice guys. Normal people. How do you get into it? The best predictor is your friends.

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/09/why-do-people-die-fighting-cause?utm_campaign=news_weekly_2017-09-08&et_rid=35341436&et_cid=1535895