Towards the Great Peace

A reflective opening frames the work as a meditation on a prayer that asks us to abandon selfish, “private‑minded” concerns and cultivate a “public soul” guided by a happy temper and generous heart. The author uses this prayer as a lens to explore how personal attitudes shape the larger quest for a lasting, universal peace, especially in a world still scarred by conflict.

Building on that premise, the early lectures turn a critical eye toward the aftermath of the Great War. They argue that while institutions—political, religious, scientific—proved fragile under fire, the enduring qualities of individual honor, courage, and compassion remained intact. By examining the disillusionment of the post‑war era, the book invites listeners to consider how a shift in personal character can become the foundation for a more hopeful, cooperative future.