It all depends on how death is seen. If it's seen as the end of everything, the possible (in your opinion) existence of the soul, didn't help. If it's seen as a stage, a phase of a wider and longer path, things become different.
Also, if we think of Earth as the only field of our action, this defines also many things/how we see many things.

Every ant's action is crucial for the whole "system's" balance and function.
By freeing them, Anthi doesn't exactly save them. If they weren't to be freed, they wouldn't have coordinated with her. They would have coordinated with someone that doesn't care. By offering her help, by choosing that, by being loyal to what her conscience tells her, she expands her self, and this way she contributes to the collective purpose.

I liked it very much!