Philistine and genius

In this searing essay, the author reflects on a speech delivered at Harvard in 1909, where he warned of a looming European catastrophe. He argues that the veneer of an “armed peace”—the belief that nations could avoid war while building massive arsenals—has only deepened the continent’s tension. By tracing earlier predictions of perpetual peace and exposing their naive optimism, he sets the stage for a critique of the militaristic mindset that was about to explode.

Drawing on grim wartime statistics, he outlines the staggering human and financial costs already being borne in the Great War, comparing them to the total wealth of the great powers. The narrative challenges the glorification of military preparedness and universal conscription, warning that societies risk slipping back into a primitive, savage state despite their technological prowess. Listeners will find a compelling blend of historical analysis and moral urgency that still resonates in today’s debates over security and humanity.