Hatred is human and current. It is an intrinsic part of what can happen between people. Personal experiences can lead people to hate someone. In society and even on a global level, hatred is again and again the motor of misunderstanding and often also of violence between people. Sometimes hate smoulders almost unconsciously; at other times he is furious and serves as a flag for serious violence. Hatred has many faces and seems omnipresent, that much is clear. The term "Erida complex," after the Greek goddess of hate, symbolizes the common and deeply rooted nature of hatred.

After examining the nature of hate, this book focuses a wide-angle lens on its many faces, in individuals and groups as well as peoples. Facing the negativity of hatred, this book presents constructive approaches to fostering relationships between people and peace.