Unusual or common in History? “Nows” as permanent elements in times of war

Abstract

The 20^th century was marked by wars and revolutions so intense that Eric Hobsbawm referred to it as “short” (2017). Amid the paradoxes of wartime and social conflict, scientific production also moved at a pace shaped by urgent “now” moments. Taking context as its central axis, this essay proposes a historical-philosophical approach, emphasizing distinct yet relatively interdependent temporal spaces. Using a qualitative methodology and essayistic writing style, the text explores expressions found in world literature and cinema. The starting point is drawn from the work of Susan Sontag (2007), namely the question: “Is there any antidote to the eternal seduction of war?” From scientists to writers and filmmakers, depictions of war and reflections on historical times explore the tension between the recognition and non-recognition of human and social experiences.