Valéry argues that europe’s intellectual crisis is caused by the horrors of wartime and

the lack of intellectual curiosity.

the awareness that civilization could die out.

the fear that the future will be worse than the past.

the reluctance to question fundamental beliefs and values.

Valéry argues that Europe’s intellectual crisis is caused by the horrors of wartime and the awareness that civilization could die out and also the future could be worse than the past. The horrors of the Nazi invasions and occupations of European countries and atrocities they committed against the populace and disregard for culture and science prompted this thinking.