I have just finished reading C.S.Lewis’ “The Abolition of Man”.

As I want to keep this review short and say how/why it made a profound impact on me and not to give away too many spoilers, I have included an appendix at the end giving the results of helpful exchanges between me and Meta AI, which besides introducing this book is pertinent to what I want to say …

Just under two weeks ago, I finished reading another of C.S.Lewis’ books: “That Hideous Strength” and posted my thoughts on that book and why it is so relevant on my website (see here). That book can be regarded as belonging to the science fiction genre but like Orwell’s “1984” and Huxley’s “Brave New World” was predicting a dystopian future, albeit one that could be resisted (and was in his book). The philosophical basis of “That Hideous Strength” can be found on “The Abolition of Man”, a much smaller work and encapsulated a series of lectures Lewis gave to an academic leaning audience two years prior. Besides checking out the Appendix, plenty of commentary can be found on the book, e.g. on YouTube. I found the following presentation: “The Abolition Of Man by C.S. Lewis | Book Review | Explained” (see here) helpful.

As always, I was spoiled for choice when it came to choosing my next reading project and as often is the case the choice that was made was according to what was of interest at the time. In my case, having been struck by the powerful message of “That Hideous Strength” that seemed so relevant to the days we are living in, I wanted to explore what was the philosophical basis and trigger behind Lewis writing it, and is why I chose to read “The Abolition of Man”, which despite its shortness provides a well-crafted message that pretty much sums up how he saw society is being led and in trying to influence thoughts on the way it ought to progress.

There was another important angle and the clue is in the subtitle. What got Lewis stirred up such that he went on to give these lectures and write the book was how, even back in 1943, he saw traditional, objective morality being undermined in how the school system worked. He began his lectures by referring to “the Green Book” which was about teaching English grammar in schools and likely to become influential. He took great exception to the message of that book because it promoted a subjective view of values and undermined objective moral principles. Lewis believed these ideas that were already beginning to take hold will eventually lead to societies demise. He argued that in ditching “the Tao” it will be replaced by something far worse and the abolition of man. One of my long-time passions is education and concerns over the state-controlled education system, which others share. Some take their children out of the state system as a result and home educate them.

While Lewis subscribed to what could be described as a “Christian World View” but in homing in on the Tao and Eastern rather than Christian thought, he wanted to make the point these values are long-time universally subscribed to, and is why the Book has been welcomed by many from all faiths and none. Along with taking a thoughtful, critical look at some of the thinking that affects so much of our lives, it articulates the concerns of some/many among the home schooling community and is why, yet again, I can recommend yet another one of C.S.Lewis books as well worth reading.

Meta AI Q&A

I asked Meta AI:

“Please provide a synopsis of C.S.Lewis’ book “The Abolition of Man”?”

Meta AI replied:  

“C.S. Lewis’s “The Abolition of Man” is a philosophical work that warns against the dangers of moral relativism and the devaluation of human nature. Lewis argues that modern education and culture are stripping humans of their moral compass, reducing them to mere animals devoid of objective values.

Key themes:

– Tao and objective values: Lewis advocates for a universal moral code (Tao) that transcends cultural boundaries, essential for human virtue and societal health.

– Critique of relativism: He criticizes modern thinking for promoting moral relativism, which undermines traditional values and objective truth.

– The “men without chests”: Lewis warns that without Tao, humans become detached from their emotions and moral instincts, losing their humanity.

Structure:

1. Men Without Chests: Critique of modern education and its impact on human nature

2. The Way: Exploration of Tao and its universal principles

3. The Abolition of Man: Consequences of rejecting objective values and the dehumanization of society”

I asked Meta AI:

“What is the subtitle to the Abolition of Man and why did Lewis come up with one that was so convoluted?”

Meta AI replied:  

“The subtitle of C.S. Lewis’s “The Abolition of Man” is “Reflections on Education with Special Reference to the Teaching of English in the Upper Forms of Schools”.

Lewis didn’t exactly come up with a convoluted subtitle himself. The book originated from a series of lectures he delivered at the University of Durham in 1943, and the subtitle reflects the original context of the lectures, focusing on education and English teaching. The title “Abolition of Man” is actually a reference to a phrase from William Wordsworth’s poem “The Prelude”, highlighting Lewis’s concern about the dehumanizing effects of modern education”.

I asked Meta AI:

“What is “Tao” in the Abolition of Man and how does it contrast and conflict with much of modern thinking according to Lewis?”

Meta AI replied:  

“In C.S. Lewis’s “The Abolition of Man”, Tao refers to a universal moral code that transcends cultural boundaries, encompassing principles like justice, mercy, and human dignity. Lewis argues that this objective moral framework is essential for human virtue and societal health. He contrasts Tao with modern thinking, which he sees as increasingly relativistic and subjective, reducing values to personal preferences or emotional expressions.

Lewis criticizes modern education for promoting moral relativism, stripping students of their moral compass and making them vulnerable to manipulation. He warns that without Tao, humanity risks losing its essence, becoming mere “men without chests” – individuals detached from their emotions and moral instincts.

Key aspects of Tao:

– Objective values: Universal moral principles that exist independently of human feelings or cultural variations

– Natural law: A moral code inherent to human nature, guiding human conduct

– Traditional morality: Shared values across cultures, including Platonic, Hindu, Taoist, Christian, and other traditions

Contrasting modern thinking:

– Moral relativism: Values are subjective, varying with individual or cultural perspectives

– Subjectivism: Right and wrong are mere personal preferences, lacking objective basis

– Emotivism: Value statements reflect emotions rather than objective truths”

I asked Meta AI:

“What is the connection between C.S.Lewis’ “That Hideous Strength” and “The Abolition of Man”?”

Meta AI replied:  

“”That Hideous Strength” is a novel by C.S. Lewis, part of his Space Trilogy, and it explores themes closely related to “The Abolition of Man”. The novel is a dystopian tale about a sinister organization, the National Institute of Co-operative Experiments (NICE), that seeks to control humanity through manipulation and technology.

Connections to “The Abolition of Man”:

– Critique of moral relativism: Both works critique the dangers of rejecting objective moral values and embracing a relativistic worldview.

– Dehumanization: “That Hideous Strength” depicts a future where humans are reduced to mere objects, echoing the concerns in “The Abolition of Man” about stripping humans of their moral compass.

– Tao and natural law: The novel illustrates the consequences of abandoning traditional values and the natural order, reflecting Lewis’s ideas in “The Abolition of Man” about the importance of Tao.

In essence, “That Hideous Strength” is a fictional exploration of the themes Lewis discussed in “The Abolition of Man”, showcasing the potential horrors of a world without objective moral values.”

I asked Meta AI:

“What is “the Christian World View”?”

Meta AI replied:

“The Christian World View is a comprehensive framework for understanding reality, knowledge, human nature, morality, and meaning through the lens of Christianity. It’s rooted in the idea that Jesus Christ is the center of truth and the standard for all aspects of life. This worldview emphasizes the importance of objective moral values, the rationality of the universe, and the relational nature of God and humanity.

Key aspects of the Christian World View:

– Objective Morality: Moral values are not subjective or relative, but rather based on God’s character and nature.

– Rational Universe: The universe is rational and can be understood through science and reason.

– Relational God: God is a relational being, and humans are created for relationship with Him.

– Human Nature: Humans are created in God’s image, with inherent value and purpose.

– Meaning and Purpose: Meaning and purpose are found in God and His plan for humanity.

C.S. Lewis, a prominent Christian thinker, argued that the Christian World View provides a coherent and rational explanation for reality, morality, and human existence. He emphasized the importance of aligning our thoughts, views, and beliefs with Jesus Christ, who is the truth.”