The Abolition of Man

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The Abolition of Man - The Way C. S. Lewis delivered, at the University of Durham, three lectures in 1943, which were published a year later as The Abolition of Man. In the second lecture “The Way,” Lewis describes how societies across cultures are defined by a set of values. He argues that if these set of values, which he refers to as the Tao, are altered then it alters the way we treat others, understand ourselves and results in an abuse of power exercised by some. Lewis presents his ideas clearly, though the first time reader may want to think more critically in order to understand. Lewis starts out “The Way” by talking about how The Green Book is filled with wronged values. “They claim to be cutting away the parasitic growth of emotion, religious sanction, and inherited taboos, in order that ‘real’ or ‘basic’ values may emerge” (Pg.29). Gaius and Titius, authors of The Green Book, have different ideas on values, which Lewis disagrees on. He believes Gaius and Titius are writing to provide authoritative ideas into one’s mind, that they feel are accurate and that those values are desired. Lewis believes that the book was written to shape and mold young readers minds to approve of their values. Lewis thinks that The Green Book should not be read by young adults. He thinks that The Green Book is persuading people not to think about the natural law but their subjective values and instincts. ”Telling us to obey instinct is like telling us to obey ‘people’. People say different things: so do instincts” (pg35). The Tao should not be changed from the outside but the inside. Developing the Tao from the inside means to make the ideas stronger and not change them entirely but to build on to the core. Changing it from the outside would remove and undermine the core of values that keep people from destroying other people. The Tao is one’s fundamentals of life, reasoning
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