Múlt és jövő : (Gondolatok a világháborúról, békéről s a népek és a kultura sorsáról)

In this incisive collection of wartime reflections, a noted French sociologist turns his scientific eye to the turbulence of the Great War and its aftermath. He examines how crowds are driven not by reason but by raw emotion, tracing the biological roots of fear, hatred, and heroic sacrifice. The essays weave observations of battlefront realities with broader musings on the fate of cultures caught in the storm.

Beyond the immediate conflict, the author explores how peace can emerge when societies recognize the same emotional currents that ignited war. He draws on history—from ancient Rome to contemporary Europe—to illustrate how collective passions shape both decline and renewal. Readers are invited to consider whether enlightened institutions can temper instinct with rational guidance before the next crisis erupts.