In 1946, Croce publishes two essays that share a common theme: "La fine della civiltà", and "L'Anticristo che è in noi"1. In the first paper Croce poses a problem never confronted previously, namely, that of the possible
absolute disappearance of human civilization which is something very different from changes in civilizations, as it has always been the case. In the second essay, Croce examines the presence of barbaric forces in man and their manner of manifestation and taking control until they render life barbaric. Both are reflections that are strictly connected with the recent war experience that had destroyed Europe.