1. The War www.ofelon.org Ofelon project utilizes a Creative Commons license Abstracts ( 6 )

2. In the animal world, two basic types of struggle can be observed : In the animal world, two basic types of struggle can be observed : O

3. struggle between predators and preys, whose purpose is to kill or to avoid being killed … struggle between predators and preys, whose purpose is to kill or to avoid being killed … O

4. and fight between rivals, which aim is to prevail on the opponent and then subject it and fight between rivals, which aim is to prevail on the opponent and then subject it O

5. Predators must kill to eat, they cannot avoid it Predators must kill to eat, they cannot avoid it O

6. Opponents instead can avoid it and it is more convenient to do so Opponents instead can avoid it and it is more convenient to do so O

7. To kill one rival member of the same group would be harmful for the whole community and therefore also for the winner, while to subject the opponent only brings benefits To kill one rival member of the same group would be harmful for the whole community and therefore also for the winner, while to subject the opponent only brings benefits O

8. If it is convenient for the winner not to kill the looser, it is even more convenient not to be killed or to be seriously injured If it is convenient for the winner not to kill the looser, it is even more convenient not to be killed or to be seriously injured O

9. Accordingly in the animal world are common either threating signs to avoid physical confrontation … Accordingly in the animal world are common either threating signs to avoid physical confrontation … O

10. … or fights that do not make an attempt on the opponent’s life, but that are only show of strength, although very violent … or fights that do not make an attempt on the opponent’s life, but that are only show of strength, although very violent O

11. Human beings kill their preys too, but usually threaten and fight the rivals avoiding to kill each other Human beings kill their preys too, but usually threaten and fight the rivals avoiding to kill each other O

12. Anyway it is evident that in war, men do not fight as rivals in love or opponents in sports, but as if belonged to different species Anyway it is evident that in war, men do not fight as rivals in love or opponents in sports, but as if belonged to different species O

13. In war, man fights to kill O

14. The cannibal populations ate their opponents as if they were animal preys The cannibal populations ate their opponents as if they were animal preys O

15. Others stripped the enemies of weapons, clothes and anything that could have a value Others stripped the enemies of weapons, clothes and anything that could have a value O

16. Then sacked the enemy village with clear predatory attitude Then sacked the enemy village with clear predatory attitude O

17. In war the relationship with the enemy is of man-animal and not of man-man type In war the relationship with the enemy is of man-animal and not of man-man type O

18. Many evidences show that war was common among the ancient tribal populations and perhaps also among the hominids Many evidences show that war was common among the ancient tribal populations and perhaps also among the hominids O

19. This is, instead, a very rare event among the apes This is, instead, a very rare event among the apes O

20. War seems to be a typically human characteristic, are we sure we are more civilized than apes? War seems to be a typically human characteristic, are we sure we are more civilized than apes? O

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