The lecture by William James entitled The Moral Equivalent of War, outlines his hypothesis that there is no current replacement for war’s ability to spark ingenuity, pride, self-discipline and one sense of purpose. As a self-proclaimed pacifist, James opposes the building of national militaries, but concludes that military discipline is the antidote to the “Pleasure economy” that was forming in the early 1900’s and could be argued today as well. James’ solution is to channel those values by instituting a “War against nature” an initiative to better the planet.
The problem as James writes is, “So long as antimilitarists propose no substitute for war's disciplinary function, [there is] no moral equivalent of war… so long they fail to realize the full inwardness of the situation.” James warns that a lack of virtue will lead to a complacent culture, where “Fear regarding ourselves now taking the place of the ancient fear of the enemy.” We will no longer strive to continue to better ourselves to defeat the enemy, but instead wallow in internal problems. Trapped in our minds, instead of focusing of the world around us.
James solution is one of overcoming adversity, “The mere fact that life is hard, that men should toil and suffer pain. The planetary conditions once for all are such, and we can stand it.” It is achievement over life’s hardships that give purpose to one life. James notes that these struggles are important in the building of character. He proposes that a conscription of the youth in a “War against nature” that would allow for the youth to struggle and grow. This is the “Blood tax.” Every citizen exercises their blood, sweat and tears to build towards the future. Instilling the values pride and discipline. Hopefully, giving the next generation a sense meaning. The blood tax in the end will take the place of war in character building in the youth. Allowing for peace to become a commonality and to prevent the slip into a complacent, pleasure economy.
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