M. LeBon Charles-Marie Gustave Le Bon 1841-1931

"M. LeBon" refers to Gustave Le Bon (1841–1931), a French psychologist and sociologist who was active from the late 19th to the early 20th century.

After a career as a physician and anthropologist, he became known for establishing the foundations of the field of "crowd psychology."

The main points regarding Le Bon and his persona are as follows.

1. Masterpiece "The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind" (La Psychologie des Foules)
The classic work "The Crowd," written by Le Bon in 1895, became the foundation of modern social psychology. The main points of his theory are as follows.

• Irrationality of the crowd: When an individual is incorporated into a group known as a crowd, their personal reason and individuality disappear, and their emotions and ideas converge (contagion) in the same direction.

• Contagion and suggestion: Crowd psychology spreads through the process of "assertion, repetition, and contagion," leading to a state where people are easily incited.

• This theory provides a very important perspective for deciphering the mechanisms of public opinion manipulation by mass media, as well as modern phenomena such as "flaming" (online outrage) and "buzz" on social media.

Development into ethnic psychology
Le Bon's research extended beyond crowds to the elucidation of psychological characteristics rooted in the history and traditions of various ethnic groups (ethnic psychology). He believed that each ethnic group has its own inherent "unconscious character," which dictates the development or decline of its civilization.

• Influence on East Asia: His ethnic psychology and crowd theory were introduced early to modern Japan and East Asia, and had a significant influence on writers and thinkers such as Natsume Soseki.

2. Personal and Ideological Characteristics

• Polymath: He engaged in writing activities across a wide range of fields, including not only psychology and sociology, but also medicine, anthropology, and physics.

• Elitism: Le Bon viewed the frenzy of crowds and politics by the masses critically, arguing that true progress in civilization is brought about by an "intellectual elite."

3. Background of the Quote
The expression "shallow asseverations and brilliant generalisations," as seen in the quote you provided, is one of the typical criticisms leveled against him. Because Le Bon's works were composed of powerful affirmations that combined sharp insights with bold, rough generalizations rather than meticulous academic verification, he was a figure who, while highly influential, was also easily subject to debate.