As previously discussed (e.g., in Chapter 9.2), the modern history of Western civilization can be viewed through the lens of epochs, each corresponding to one of four perceptual spheres.
The transition between these epochs was triggered by two brutal wars. The absurdity lies in the fact that humanity, at such a terrible cost, ultimately fought for what was practically within reach without war from the very beginning.
For instance, before World War I, national regions within Austria-Hungary enjoyed steadily growing autonomy, and their citizens possessed civic rights (freedom of speech and assembly, free elections, etc.). However, many people remained dissatisfied with the extent of their national or cultural autonomy, a factor that contributed to the outbreak of the First World War.
Following the drastic war, these national regions became completely “liberated” from what was a very mild and rather symbolic feudal model and the “authoritarianism” of the Emperor. They established new nation-states, whose internal politics were intended to be based on the civic principle. Yet, due to dissatisfied national minorities once again, this principle proved difficult to uphold. This failure contributed to World War II, and only after its conclusion did the principle of civic society clearly prevail over the national principle. Ultimately, a community of states based on both national and civic principles emerged. However, the embryonic form of such a community, and indeed some of its functioning, already existed before World War I.
One might well ask, what was the purpose of all that horrific slaughter if, in the end, something was achieved that had already existed at the beginning? It appears that humanity’s ascent to a higher level occurs not through conscious realization, but through shocks and suffering, which finally lead people to realize that “things cannot go on like this anymore…”