Another scenario, but this time looking at it from the other side.
You have two villages separated by not only geography but also by some form of social boundary be it religious, nationality, whatever. There is a limited food supply that both towns are effectively and grudgingly sharing (call it a forest for small game and a plot of barely arable land). Winter is coming, preparations are escalating, people are getting nervous. It becomes clear that there is not remotely enough food to feed both villages let alone even one fully. What do you do?
The most utilitarian answer is to kill off the other village at least to the point that they are no longer a threat and cannot compete for the limited food. The kindest answer is you suck it up and watch your own people starve and hope that the other village doesn't attack you. Fighting in defense of what is your is one thing, but what about when you are put into the situation where killing the innocent is your surest path to survival? When does it become reasonable/understandable/even acceptable perhaps to commit horrible crimes for the survival of you and yours.
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Me that am what I am
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