--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That's what's terrible about wars when…" description: "\"That's what's terrible about wars when whole societies adopt an impulse of objectification. Everything becomes black and white.\" — Jon Lee Anderson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd1/jon-lee-anderson-28056_black_that-s-what-s-terrible-about-wars-when-w_1046311.jpg" --- # That's what's terrible about wars when whole societies… ![“That's what's terrible about wars when whole societies adopt an impulse of objectification. Everything becomes black and white.” quote by Jon Lee Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd1/jon-lee-anderson-28056_black_that-s-what-s-terrible-about-wars-when-w_1046311.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd1/jon-lee-anderson-28056_black_that-s-what-s-terrible-about-wars-when-w_1046311.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd1/jon-lee-anderson-28056_black_that-s-what-s-terrible-about-wars-when-w_1046311.jpg) > “That's what's terrible about wars when whole societies adopt an impulse of objectification. Everything becomes black and white.” [Jon Lee Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-lee-anderson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. War reduces complex societies to binary thinking, dehumanizing opponents and eroding moral nuance. **In simple terms:** Wars make people see only black and white. Key Takeaway Recognize nuance, avoid dehumanization. Themes war ethics humanity binary thinking Mood somber reflective Type analytical critical. When to use this quote - political discourse - military training - media coverage - peace negotiations Key Concepts objectification dehumanization moral ambiguity Questions to Reflect On - How does dehumanizing the enemy affect conflict resolution? - What steps can preserve moral complexity in wartime? A Different Perspective Oversimplification can ignore legitimate grievances and fuel cycles of violence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Black and white](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-and-white/) [Impulse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impulse/) [Objectification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objectification/) [Objectification Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objectification-black-2476042/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Terrible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrible/) [Terrible Wars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrible-wars-2476041/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Wars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wars/) [Wars Societies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wars-societies-2476043/) ## Related quotes > [“By the end of the seventies the feared yet desired black male body had become as objectified as it was during slavery, only a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/by-the-end-of-the-seventies-the-feared-yet-desired-black-male-body/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [Terrible wars have been fought where millions have died for one idea - freedom. 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