Santayana, George (Jorge Augustín Nicolás Ruiz de Santayana) (1863–1952)

Abstract As a philosopher, Santayana was a materialist and atheist. His early work, strongly influenced by Schopenhauer, concerned the sense of beauty (aesthetics). Later, this concern would also color his political philosophy. In political terms, Santayana gave preference to order above chaos to such a degree that he expressed a general sympathy for the domestic policies of early Italian fascism, even though he regarded Mussolini as an evil man and his warlike foreign policies as disastrous. In other respects, Santayana was opposed to the phenomena of modern mass political systems, including what he regarded as “Americanism” and “liberalism.” He maintained that aristocratic elements in society ought to be preserved, for these were eminently compatible with reason in society.