Spanish philosopher, lecturing in Buenos Aires during WW2, offered
lecture arguing that world history would come down to a struggle
between humans and viruses for domination. He believed viruses would
triumph.  What was his name and the essay which I read three decades
ago in a collection of lectures prepared from notes made by his
students.

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Request for Question Clarification by rainbow-ga on 19 Oct 2005 01:11 PDT

Could this be who you are thinking of?

José Ortega y Gasset
Ideas y Creencias (Ideas and Beliefs: on historical reason, a course
taught in 1940 Buenos Aires, published 1979 along with Sobre la razón
histórica)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ortega_y_Gasset

Best regards,
Rainbow

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Clarification of Question by jono39-ga on 19 Oct 2005 18:39 PDT

Excellent work.  Certain it was Ortega Gasset, but doubt if this is
the publication. First, I do not read Spanish. Made quick look at
Google and Amazon and did not come up with any candidates.  Why do I
think the lectures were in 1942?  I read the essay in English
translation, it was two pages in a larger piece.  Any suggestions?

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Request for Question Clarification by rainbow-ga on 19 Oct 2005 22:09 PDT

Hi jono39,

I'm glad I was able to locate the philosopher, however, I haven't been
able to find the essay you read.

Did you read this essay online and if so approximately when? Do you
remember anything else about this essay or the site you found the
essay on (if it was online)? Thanks.

Best regards,
Rainbow