I agree with the general gist of the OP. That it is the intellectual journey through life that is important. But I would like to adress the notion that this excludes hoping for world peace and and justice.

From the OP I get the feeling that you think world peace is synonomus with everybody holding hands singing "koomba ya" (sp?) around a campfire.

Conflict and disagreement is an integral and necessary part of life, if everybody got things the way they wanted they would be spoilt and we'd end up with conflict anyway. But do we have to let conflict and disagreement descend into war?

Considering that most conflicts are about limited resources, of which human labour and intelligence is part, do we honestly desire to throw lives away needlessly?

If we had proper bargaining channels, (or simply a will not to turn to killing eachother to get what we want) could we not reach agreements that benefit both/all parties?

Like you said Adrian:
Most conflicts (of interest or arms) result from opposing views, fears and misunderstandings, even miscommunication. They are seldom the result of outright evil on both sides
If governments could talk and make deals and not bicker like little children then there would be justice as well because the parties freely entered an agreement.

The point is that war is no longer, if it ever were, a good way to solve conflict, so why should we not hope for a world where people do not have to fear getting killed over dissagreements that stem from fear, misunderstandings and miscommunication.

Conflict bring it on, war no thanks..