Raymond Aron: la politica, la guerra, la storia

Raymond Aron: Politics, War and History

Abstract disponibile solo in lingua inglese

These two articles review a collection of essays by the political scientist and philosopher Raymond Aron edited by Angelo Panebianco, the first systematic presentation of the thinking of this author in Italy. Piero Ostellino recalls Claude Lévy-Strauss's definition of Aron as "a professor of intellectual hygiene" and argues that just as Aron's lesson of rationality ought to have been studied in Italy in the past, so it ought to be studied today. Alas, today as yesterday, it is likely that it would remain unlistened to. Anna Caffarena analyses the collection, identifying the unifying fil rouge of Aron's output in his continuous emphasis on the relationship between social science and political decision. The unitary significance of his academic activity is reflected in his role as a vigilant, attentive, committed observer.