War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing! (Adam Smith 1969). Well technically not true. Perhaps Adam Smith really meant the process of War. That process can lack morals hence the rules of war, also known as international humanitarian law, was set to define the boundaries of dignify humanity in armed conflict. A cause designed to reduce suffering and save lives. A true liberal consciousness.
The reasons for war are vast but it suffices to list those that seem recurrent throughout human history. Innately humans love conflict. It is a trait for survival, physicality, and resoluteness. We use war to bring about progressive change, create democracy, expand economic dominance, enforce freedom, and create a platform for good moral and ethical standards. War occurs when the voices and vision of reasons are exhausted.
The French revolution brought about progressive changes for liberty, equality, and fraternity. A cause that paved way for modern day socialism side swabbing old monarchical ideology, governance, and economic stratification. The cold war expatriated Americanism and democracy throughout the world. With it came economic dominance. It would be disingenuous without reference to the second world war that set the stage for the cold war. The underlying tenement of that second world war was political and geographic expansion of the Nazis into East Europe sprinkled with ideologically defunct moral and ethical standards. Out of that war came many treaties, and organizations to foster conflict resolution and peace. Peace though has remained guarded but is ever fragile. We are reminded of this fragility especially with the recent ideological war between Israel and Hamas, Ukraine and Russia, and many other internal global conflicts in the web of war.
War is a profitable business. In our capitalist world of today, the business of war is a huge industry. I often see war as a necessary industrial revolution that is never named or given credence as the second (technological revolution) and third industrial revolution (digital revolution). It is a contemporary omnipresence, a sort of eschatological essence of humanity. Out of those depths of hell always a rebirth of freshness, economic growth, technological advancement, and a resolute recalibration of our human moral compass. This transubstantiation of our morals like peace is fragile and needs frequent tendering, tweaking, and pruning. Left alone, morals are easily corruptible, just look at Adam and Eve!
Freedom of all kinds as relating to the free will of any human is non-negotiable. War must be the only rational, irrefutable resolute response. Freedom is quintessential to living without which that very mystery of life is lost! How can anyone subjugate another through depravity to lose the very essence of life, Freedom. To this very issue I understood why the enlightened Americans fought the American Colonist in the American revolution. No price can be too great to pay for Freedom, and war is just a small price in the grand value of Freedom.
War is ugly. The death, destruction, and destituteness are nothing to behold. However, war leads to inventiveness, technological advancement, economic growth, progressive change in ideology, moral recalibration, and freedom. All which humanity needs to foster peace, and prosperity in sustaining our survival.
About the Creator
John Agbi
Life is like a pendulum; it has a tide like ebb and flow. Its certainty is achieved through reasoning, hard work, and the ability to correspond. My education, work, financial knowledge and inventive mind allows me to be a creative writer.
Swami Vivekananda: The Voice That Awakened a Nation
Swami Vivekananda stands as one of the most powerful spiritual and intellectual figures of modern India. His life was short—only thirty-nine years—but his influence was immense and lasting. He did not merely preach religion; he awakened self-respect, courage, and unity in a colonized nation and introduced the depth of Indian philosophy to the modern world. Early Life: The Making of Narendra Nath Datta Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, into a well-educated Bengali family. His given name was Narendra Nath Datta. His father, Vishwanath Datta, was a lawyer with a rational, liberal outlook, while his mother, Bhuvaneshwari Devi, was deeply spiritual and had a profound influence on Narendra’s character. From childhood, Narendra was intelligent, energetic, and fearless. He excelled in academics, music, gymnastics, and debate. He questioned everything—especially religion. Unlike blind believers, he wanted direct experience of truth. His constant question was simple yet powerful: “Have you seen God?” The Search for Truth As a young man, Narendra studied Western philosophy and science at Presidency College. He was influenced by thinkers like Kant, Hegel, and Spencer, yet he remained unsatisfied. Logic alone could not answer the deeper questions of life. His search eventually led him to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a mystic priest of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple. When Narendra asked Ramakrishna the same bold question—“Have you seen God?”—Ramakrishna replied calmly, “Yes, I see God as clearly as I see you, only more intensely.” This answer changed Narendra’s life. At first, he doubted Ramakrishna and even argued with him, but over time he realized the depth of his spiritual experience. Ramakrishna taught him that all religions lead to the same truth and that service to humanity is service to God. Under his guidance, Narendra experienced spiritual awakening. Loss, Poverty, and Renunciation After Ramakrishna’s death in 1886, Narendra and a group of young disciples formed a monastic brotherhood. Soon after, tragedy struck—Narendra’s father died, leaving the family in financial crisis. Narendra struggled to find work and often went hungry, but his dignity never broke. Eventually, he renounced worldly life and became a wandering monk, taking the name Swami Vivekananda. He traveled across India on foot, living among villagers, saints, and the poor. What he saw deeply disturbed him: widespread poverty, ignorance, social injustice, and loss of self-confidence among Indians under British rule. Vivekananda realized that India’s problem was not lack of religion, but lack of strength, education, and self-belief. Journey to the West In 1893, Vivekananda traveled to the United States to attend the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago. He had no official invitation, little money, and faced many hardships. Yet destiny had other plans. On September 11, 1893, Vivekananda stood before a large audience of scholars and religious leaders. He began his speech with the words: “Sisters and brothers of America.” The audience rose in a standing ovation. Those simple words, spoken with sincerity and confidence, instantly captured hearts. In his speech, Vivekananda spoke of tolerance, universal brotherhood, and the harmony of religions. He presented Vedanta not as superstition, but as a rational, spiritual philosophy. For the first time, the West heard India speak with confidence and wisdom. Global Recognition After the Parliament, Vivekananda became famous in America and Europe. He lectured widely, teaching yoga, meditation, and Vedanta. He impressed audiences with his clarity, logic, humor, and spiritual depth. Yet he never forgot India. Even while gaining global recognition, his heart remained with the poor and suffering of his homeland. He believed spirituality must uplift society, not escape from it. Return to India: Awakening a Nation When Vivekananda returned to India in 1897, he was welcomed as a national hero. He traveled across the country, delivering powerful speeches that inspired pride and confidence. His message was clear: “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.” Strength is life; weakness is death. Education should build character. Serve the poor as living gods. He emphasized practical spirituality—combining meditation with service. The Ramakrishna Mission To turn his ideas into action, Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897. The mission focused on education, healthcare, disaster relief, and spiritual training. It became a model of selfless service rooted in spiritual values. Unlike traditional religious institutions, the Ramakrishna Mission welcomed people of all castes, creeds, and backgrounds. Philosophy and Legacy Swami Vivekananda believed in: Unity of all religions Power of the human soul Equality of men and women Education as nation-building Service as worship He rejected superstition, blind faith, and social discrimination. He believed India would rise again—not by copying the West, but by combining ancient wisdom with modern science. Final Years and Mahasamadhi Swami Vivekananda’s intense work took a toll on his health. On July 4, 1902, at the age of 39, he passed away in Belur Math. Many believe he consciously chose the time of his departure. Though his life was brief, his impact was eternal. Why Vivekananda Still Matters Swami Vivekananda did not just speak to India—he spoke to humanity. He taught that every human being carries infinite potential. His words continue to inspire students, leaders, thinkers, and seekers around the world. He once said: “You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.” More than a monk, more than a philosopher, Swami Vivekananda was a force of awakening—a reminder that spiritual strength and social responsibility must walk
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3 Harmless Habits That Once Caused Absolute Chaos
Most habits are comfortingly dull. You chew gum. You clap at events. You check your phone. You assume—reasonably—that these actions will not destabilize governments, bankrupt industries, or end lives. Society depends on this assumption. If every small habit carried catastrophic potential, we would never leave the house.
By Enoch Sagini6 days ago in History
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