The Abolition Of Man
Author: C.S. Lewis
ISBN: 0-06-065294-2
Publisher:
Review:
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As one of Lewis' more controversial books The Abolition of Man attacks the premise that values such as courage, honour, and appreciation of objects for their intrinsic merit are rooted in the subjective. He argues for the existence of the Tao, or that set of ingrained values by which society exists. He attempts to show the fruitlessness of attacking this somewhat vague, somewhat definite moral code.
Those who argue for Intellect as opposed to Sentimentality find themselves chiefly under the barrage of Lewis' wit. Lewis argues that it is through the conditioned emotion that Intellect governs the body, and Intellect alone cannot suffice. As Lewis says of Intellectual individuals, "It is not excess of thought but defect of fertile and generous emotion that marks them out. Their heads are no bigger than the ordinary; it is the atrophy of the chest beneath that makes them seem so." Over the course of the book, he deftly shows the slight of hand that must exist in order to support this philosophy. Take it to its logical conclusion and the results are disturbing.
Lewis also comments on the phrase, "Man is conquering nature". He very shrewdly deduces that what this really means is that "Each new power won by man is a power over man as well." We in the West would do well to keep this in mind, although recent events, i.e. Asian Tsunami, would tell us that we are a long way from conquering Nature.
Lewis ends his argument with the conclusion "A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery." Indeed, those embark on a subjective journey will find themselves lost on a sea of possibilities in which their subjectivity will objectively drown.
Whether you agree with Lewis or not, you must be prepared to address his concerns if you are seriously doubtful about objective value, unless of course your doubt is just an excuse to do as you please, which is a most common ailment in the human species.
ISBN: 0-06-065294-2
Publisher:
Review:
--------------
As one of Lewis' more controversial books The Abolition of Man attacks the premise that values such as courage, honour, and appreciation of objects for their intrinsic merit are rooted in the subjective. He argues for the existence of the Tao, or that set of ingrained values by which society exists. He attempts to show the fruitlessness of attacking this somewhat vague, somewhat definite moral code.
Those who argue for Intellect as opposed to Sentimentality find themselves chiefly under the barrage of Lewis' wit. Lewis argues that it is through the conditioned emotion that Intellect governs the body, and Intellect alone cannot suffice. As Lewis says of Intellectual individuals, "It is not excess of thought but defect of fertile and generous emotion that marks them out. Their heads are no bigger than the ordinary; it is the atrophy of the chest beneath that makes them seem so." Over the course of the book, he deftly shows the slight of hand that must exist in order to support this philosophy. Take it to its logical conclusion and the results are disturbing.
Lewis also comments on the phrase, "Man is conquering nature". He very shrewdly deduces that what this really means is that "Each new power won by man is a power over man as well." We in the West would do well to keep this in mind, although recent events, i.e. Asian Tsunami, would tell us that we are a long way from conquering Nature.
Lewis ends his argument with the conclusion "A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery." Indeed, those embark on a subjective journey will find themselves lost on a sea of possibilities in which their subjectivity will objectively drown.
Whether you agree with Lewis or not, you must be prepared to address his concerns if you are seriously doubtful about objective value, unless of course your doubt is just an excuse to do as you please, which is a most common ailment in the human species.
posted by Tony | 12:26 PM
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