Guerra, ejército y militares en la vida y el pensamiento de George Santayana

Abstract

George Santayana’s life (1863-1952) and thought, constitute in themselves a fundamental historical event and also represent a crucial period
in history. The present article analyses Santayana’s vision of the war as a phenomenon and also the role played by the Military Forces in Society. The article also explains his positioning with respect to the wars which took place in his days: The Cuban War, The First World War and the Spanish Civil War. On the other hand, a reconstruction of his family’s military background, together with his living experiences both in Spain and in the United States, provide an insight into Santayana as a character and into his ideas.