Does The Warrior Still Exist?
by Donavon L Riley
Until recently, it was typical for societies to exalt the warrior class to the apex of their hierarchies. However, today, in our pacifist-humanitarian pursuits, especially within western cultures, there is a determined effort to cast the warrior as an anachronistic relic, a vestige of a bygone era, whose eventual obsolescence is heralded as the zenith of human progress. This dismissal, however, is a superficial reading of the warrior’s vocation, a reflection of a society that fails to grasp the profound metaphysical dimensions of the warrior ethos.
The query, “Does the warrior still exist?” elicits a response far more intricate than surface appearances suggest. One might instinctively point to modern military figures—the infantryman or the Special Forces operator—as the contemporary embodiment of the warrior. Yet, the service of the warrior class transcends mere martial prowess; it is enmeshed in a web of cultural, spiritual, and metaphysical significances that contemporary interpretations often overlook. This deeper calling is frequently met with resistance, particularly from those who have not worn the uniform, a resistance born of a fundamental misunderstanding. This debate is not a matter of semantics but a conflict between materialistic reductionism and a more profound metaphysical understanding of the warrior’s calling.
In bygone eras, the warrior was not merely a combatant; he was a paragon of honor, bravery, and spiritual discipline, a defender of cultural integrity and a pillar of the society in which he dwelt. Today, society tends to diminish the warrior to a mere professional soldier, an interchangeable part in the machinery of modern warfare. This reduction reflects a broader societal shift towards egalitarianism and technological supremacy in combat, a shift that neglects the warrior’s cultural and metaphysical import.
The true warrior exists beyond the confines of the battlefield; he is an integral part of the warrior caste. Traditional societies were meticulously stratified, with clearly delineated roles and responsibilities. A genuine warrior was imbued with a profound spiritual dimension, a trait conspicuously absent in much of modern soldiery. While the martial capabilities of a Green Beret may parallel those of a medieval knight, there is a stark void where the spiritual dimension once resided. A Green Beret may harbor personal faith or piety, but such spirituality is incidental to his role as a warrior. Julius Evola eloquently underscores this in his writings, emphasizing that the warrior’s actions were emblematic of a metaphysical struggle, a symbolic battle against chaos and materialism.
The warrior caste was not, then, merely a military force but a stabilizing and guiding influence on society. They were the custodians of order, guardians of sacred traditions and principles that upheld the societal structure. Their role as the bedrock of civilization was unequivocal, representing the highest societal values.
Modern militaries, with their emphasis on “Core Values” such as honor, courage, and commitment, offer a pale imitation of these historical ideals. Unlike their predecessors, contemporary soldiers are not necessarily expected to adhere to a rigorous code that governs their entire existence; they are not expected to commit seppuku to restore honor, nor do they typically shun material possessions or lead celibate lives. And yet, even the diluted military values of today bear little relevance to the broader culture, often perceived as archaic relics in an increasingly materialistic society.
To be fair, ancient warriors did not always strictly adhere to their codes; knights engaged in petty squabbles, and samurai abused their authority. These deviations, however, did not diminish the codes’ significance for the broader culture. More often than not, these codes served as societal norms that guided conduct and defined roles, and their occasional breaches do not invalidate the overarching principles.
The physical, mental, and emotional demands of martial conflicts (and individual failures to live up to such demands) must not obscure the myth, honor, and spirit of the warrior ethos. The contributions of warriors transcend mere combat effectiveness; they embody the highest ideals of their cultures, serving as symbols of bravery, honor, and transcendent belief. The warrior’s vocation, with its spiritual and metaphysical dimensions, is a poignant reminder that beyond the pragmatics of warfare lies a deeper struggle for meaning, order, and the preservation of higher values. Though seemingly anachronistic, the warrior spirit is vital for culture because it continues to inspire others to pursue a higher calling, and may hold the key to restoring the very foundations of civilization.
At the present time, we must reckon with the dissonance between our technological advancements and the atavistic, yet profound, ethos of the warrior. To dismiss the warrior as an obsolete entity is to ignore the deeply meaningful traditions and enduring values that warriors have personified. Their legacy is a testament to the perennial struggle for order against the encroaching chaos, a struggle that, despite modernity’s illusions of progress, remains ever relevant.
