No one who sees the plain fact that all moral and spiritual values of human life are in the individual, can possibly see any spiritual value in war. War comes from the individual's ignorance of his own nature, from his placing responsibility for the moral values of his own life in a fantasy, in a pagan god which he imagines exists outside himself and superior to him and controlling him-an Immortal Italy, a German Race, a Nation, a State.
In her book "The Discovery of Freedom: Man's Struggle Against Authority," Rose Wilder Lane argues that true moral and spiritual values are inherent in each individual. She contends that understanding this individuality leads to a realization that war lacks any genuine spiritual purpose. Instead, conflict arises from people’s ignorance about themselves and their tendency to project moral responsibilities onto external entities, such as gods, nations, or races, rather than recognizing their own role in their existence.
Lane highlights that this misplaced responsibility fosters a sense of detachment from personal moral agency, which can lead to devastating consequences like war. By relying on external constructs for moral authority, individuals distance themselves from their true nature. To overcome the destructive cycle of war and violence, she advocates for a deeper self-awareness and realization of one's personal moral values, emphasizing individual responsibility in shaping a peaceful society.
