What is it about?
This study investigates whether moral judgment, critical thinking, and Islamic fundamentalism can explain involvement in armed political violence among members of ISIS and Al-Qaeda. Using data from 30 convicted extremists held in Kuwait’s Central Prison, the research examines how individuals reason morally, how well they evaluate arguments and assumptions, and how strongly they endorse fundamentalist beliefs. The findings show that lower levels of critical thinking and moral judgment, combined with higher levels of fundamentalism, are associated with greater endorsement of violent acts. Regression analyses reveal that two factors—worldly rejection (a fundamentalism dimension) and failure to recognize assumptions (a critical thinking deficit)—explain a substantial proportion of variance in armed political violence.
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Why is it important?
Rare empirical evidence: Based on direct data from convicted ISIS and Al-Qaeda members rather than surveys of the general public. Moves beyond stereotypes: Shows that violent extremism is not simply a product of demographics or mental illness. Highlights cognitive mechanisms: Identifies deficits in critical thinking—especially recognizing hidden assumptions—as key contributors to violence. Prevention relevance: Suggests that education, rehabilitation, and deradicalization efforts should focus on critical thinking and moral reasoning, not ideology alone.
Perspectives
This study reflects my long-standing interest in understanding violent extremism as a moral and cognitive phenomenon, not merely a political or religious one. What struck me most was that many participants believed they were acting morally, even when endorsing extreme violence. This reinforces the idea that violence can be grounded in a coherent—though distorted—moral framework. I view this work as a call to shift prevention efforts toward strengthening critical thinking and ethical reflection, rather than relying solely on ideological or demographic explanations.
Prof. Othman H Alkhadher
Kuwait University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Can moral judgment, critical thinking, and Islamic fundamentalism explain ISIS and Al-Qaeda’s armed political violence?, Psychology of Violence, May 2019, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/vio0000242.
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