Module 9 –

Welcome back!

In this module we take a look at another of Lewiss non-

fiction writings, The Abolition of Man. The work has a

curious and circuitous path to publication, with its genesis

arising from a Green Book sent to Lewis for review.

As far as books go, this one elicited a vivacious response.

Lewiss excoriating review takes exception, above all, with

the philosophical underpinnings of the authors, anonymously

called Gaius and Titius. As chapter 1, Men Without Chests,

outlines, the authors present a worldview wholly antithetical

to traditional western ideals, one that results in the devolution

of societys view of humanity, and mans vision of himself.

How? By putting in place the structures for abolishing

reference to understanding and the pursuit of objective

values.

As Lewis diagnoses, he also proffers a vision of society and humanity based on the Tao, the

traditional moral views of major civilizations. While the terminology of Tao is novel, the concept

of objective moral realities building directly upon the discussion we have already considered in

Mere Christianity. That is to say, having already studied Mere Christianity gives you a much

broader base for understanding Lewiss line of argumentation.

Note, Lewis delivered this work originally as three 30-minute lectures during the height of

World War II. It bears some semblance to Mere Christianity with respect to its oratory qualities.

The work has also been rendered into Doodle format, and this version is highly recommended

(although I can now only track down the doodle for the first lecture Men Without Chests. If

you happen across the doodles for chapter 2, The Way, or chapter 3, The Abolition of Man,

please do send them my way).Module 9 Reading Assignment

Read The Abolition of Man. The audio of all 3 chapters (approximately 90 minutes total) can

be found here. A C.S. Lewis Doodle for chapter 1 is on Canvas; again, if you track down

chapters 2 and 3, let me know.

Check out the module 9 lecture. This sets the stage of Abolition of Man. The questions below

pry into the heart of chapters 2 and 3.

Module Tasks

Answer the following questions (responses should be ~200 words).

1.

Where does humanity morality come from?

Some recent thinkers, like John Rawls and Noam Chomsky, suggest an exclusively naturalistic

explanation: morality developed akin to our ability to use grammar. Steven Pinkers essay, The

Moral Instinct, captures this naturalistic view, arguing, we are born with a universal moral

grammar that forces us to analyze human action in terms of its moral structure, with just as little

awareness. For Pinker, morality could simply be a function of our genes, rooted in the design

of the normal human brain just as altruism and the golden rule are rooted in the nature of

things. In short, morality possesses an exclusively naturalistic explanation.

Lewis will have none of this. As Lewis puts it, values cannot be mere natural phenomenon.

In chapter 2, The Way, Lewis considers the problem of attempting to derive values from

instinct. We cannot move from the indicative (an is) to the imperative (an ought) by

appealing to instinct (or any mysterious biological impulse/evolutionary feature).

Lewis further argues creating a hierarchy of values outside of the Tao is impossible, concluding

If it is rejected, all value is rejected. If any value is retained, it is retained.

Explain

i) why Lewis insists morality cannot be derived from instinct or nature alone as Pinker et.

al., would have it

ii) why Lewis insists that moral systems outside of Tao is a rebellion of the branches

against the tree.

2. Suppose naturalism is correct. Suppose Rawls, Chomsky, and Pinker are correct. Suppose

morality is ultimately the product of our genes and environment.

Thats how Lewis concludes chapter 2.He asks, what if our primordial agricultural rhythm and physiology has bequeathed us with Respond to the postings of at least two other students. Responses should be ~50 words.

the mental furniture that allows for morality?

Chapter 3 entertains this case. After all, if morality is rooted in nature, and if we can conquer and

manipulate nature, we could just as easily do the same with morality and the entire human

project.

Contraceptives and genetic manipulation, have come along way since Lewiss time, but he asks

his listeners to envision a time when an omnicompetent state and an irresistible scientific

technique place within the hands of Man the power to make himself what he pleases.

Explain i) why, according to Lewis, going down the road of ever greater control over

Nature while outside of the Tao will lead not to our enhancement but the utter abolition of

man?

In your response, be sure to consider either Lewiss metaphor of Natures tactical retreat

(What looked to us like hands held up in surrender was really the opening of arms to

enfold us for ever.) or his argument that science and magic are twins, born of the same

impulse.

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