The publication of The Opium of the Intellectuals in 1955 marked a pivotal intervention in postwar French thought, as Raymond Aron inverted Karl Marx’s famous assertion to critique the ideological blind spots of his contemporaries. Throughout his career, he occupied a rare intellectual space, balancing rigorous sociological analysis with the responsibilities of a public journalist and political commentator.
Academic Foundation and War Service
Born in 1905 in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, Aron studied at the Lycée Hoche, Lycée Condorcet, and the École Normale Supérieure. He took first place in the 1928 agrégation of philosophy and completed his doctorate at the University of Paris by 1930. Following the outbreak of World War II, he served in the Armée de l'Air before relocating to London to contribute to the Free French cause as an editor for France Libre.
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Aron held several significant teaching and research posts, including positions at Sciences Po, the École pratique des hautes études, and the University of Paris from 1955 to 1968. Later in his career, he taught at the Collège de France between 1970 and 1978. His expertise in sociology and history shaped his approach to international relations, providing a structural framework for analyzing the complexities of global diplomacy during the nuclear age.
Journalism and Political Thought
For thirty years, starting in 1947, Aron was a prominent columnist for Le Figaro. He maintained a lifelong commitment to liberal values, often clashing with peers like Jean-Paul Sartre over the nature of totalitarianism and democratic institutions. His work in the 1962 publication Peace and War established a theory of international relations that challenged the notion of a monolithic state power, emphasizing instead the ongoing necessity for conventional military forces.
Legacy and Distinctions
Aron received international recognition for his contributions, including the Erasmus Prize in 1983 and the Goethe Prize of the City of Frankfurt in 1979. He was a member of the Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He died in 1983 in the 4th arrondissement of Paris and is buried at the Montparnasse Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 14 March 1905, Paris
- Died: 17 October 1983, Paris
- Primary Fields: Sociology, Philosophy, International Relations
- Academic Home: École Normale Supérieure
- Key Publication: The Opium of the Intellectuals (1955)
- Professional Roles: Journalist, Professor, Political Scientist
- Notable Award: Erasmus Prize (1983)
- Burial Site: Montparnasse Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Aron's stance on Marxism?
He criticized Marxism as an intellectual obsession, specifically targeting the tendency of French intellectuals to excuse communist government actions while critiquing Western democracy.
Did Aron serve in the military?
Yes, he served in the Armée de l'Air during World War II and later joined the Free French forces in London.
Achievements
- Ambassadors' Prize — 1962
- Goethe Prize of the City of Frankfurt — 1979
- Erasmus Prize — 1983
- Toynbee Prize
- “Today” Prize — 1981
- Held posts at Collège de France, Sciences Po and Le Figaro
- Fields: international relations
