When great minds come together to resolve a problem, the assumed solution should seem to be the end of questioning. However with the problems raised in the letters from Einstein to Freud, it is easy to see that some questions weren't meant to have a conclusive answer. The ultimate question being, what is to be done to rid mankind of war-menace? Both Einstein and Freud have their points, which seem to Cohen side with one another.
Einstein brings up reasons to why he things that this conflict of war exists in the first place. First, "craving for power which characterizes the governing class in every nation is hostile to any limitation of the national sovereignty." meaning all nations seek power, anything trying to contrast to that will be considered as hostile and will bring about violence. With this brings another question, How is it possible for a small clique to bend the will of the majority? Through nationalistic ideas and back up by press and church these groups are able to manipulate the masses. Giving man the blind power of fighting with wild enthusiasm and being able to sacrifice his own life the better of his nation. In all this, Einstein is asking if there is any way that hatred and destructiveness inbreed in man, can be subsided?.
Freud uses examples of his Might (violence) vs. Right to help better explain why man sees that he must use violence in order to get what he wants. Primitively speaking, violence has always been the way for man to resolve conflict. Furthermore, the only way of bringing an end to conflict is for the opponent of the nation to be put out of action/killed. The fear of retaliation is what keeps man aiming to slaughter his foe. To further back up what Einstein had said, Freud agrees on the fact that, a union of weaklings can overthrow one strong man. Only so long that this group is the "Right" side of the debate, as the might of the community. Both men agree that the only true way of overcoming conflict of war is, "the quest of international security involves the unconditional surrender by every nation, in a certain measure, of its liberty of action and its sovereignty.
