The Abolition of Man (Annotated)

This book is based on Lewis' lectures at University of Durham in 1943. Over 70 years on, the text describes exactly the path that we have gone down, making this book read like prophecy. This is the power of Lewis' insight which still benefits us today by illuminating the folly we are in and the "final stage" we are heading - the abolition of man! Is there still time to arrest the trend? I think not not because it's too late but because few people are warned. Perhaps we all should read this book and make an informed choice - do we really want that future for our offspring if we are lucky enough to have escaped the knife ourselves? The pressure is on to eradicate all the fundamental core values that we hold. We see our traditional values being assaulted without stirring much alarm. We reason on some of the first principles that define us as human, and human nature is the final area of "Nature" that we seek to conquer or overpower. Then who are we? Lewis argues, 'Man's conquest of Nature turns out, in the moment of its consummation, to be Nature's conquest of Man.' (p. 41) 'We have been trying like Lear, to have it both ways: to lay down our human prerogative and yet at the same time to retain it. It is impossible.' (p.43) I must say, as pointed out by Lewis, schools today play a crucial role in "conditioning" our kids and the future generation under the regulation of the state. What Lewis has argued has happened at school today, and sadly for us, we do not have a critical voice as forceful, articulate and eloquent to expose the danger of this path for everyone to see. A sober read.

This is by far the best of Lewis's work. Although it is short, it is also chock-a-bloc full of insight and wisdom, and foresight, that its sadly rather eerie to see that when he wrote this in the 1940's, todays West is what he foresaw. It is a book that everyone should read, without exception. This along with his essays 'On Ethics', 'Willing Slaves of the Welfare State', 'The Poison of Subjectivism', 'Membership', and 'The Inner Ring', are must reads, they really are. They are not at all religious, but clearly one can see where his loyalties lean. His ability to philosophize is second to none, he is perhaps one of the most underrated philosophers in the last two centuries, but with this work in particular, as numerous others on here have already said, it is somewhat of a life-changing work. It really is that pointed, and far seeing.

This is a thought-provoking read, in classic C.S. Lewis style. I would not go as far as he does with the consequences of naturalistic philosophy being subtly brought into education (I still think that children who learn morality at home will be less likely to fall into these traps at school). Yet, I do think that his warning is relevant for today - school-leavers are not taught to closely examine what they are fed at university, but rather blindly follow whatever 'the experts' say. As a result, few students ever think critically about dubious 'scientific' theories such as evolution. The naturalistic philosophy that comes with evolution leads on to the logical conclusion that humans are just another species of mammal, and morality and truth are not objective realities. The resulting acceptance of evil and falsehood as the norm are fulfillments of what C.S. Lewis was considering in his day.

A must have for just about everyone whether persuaded by or acting against post-modernism and relativism. C.S. Lewis gives a short but masterpiece lesson on fundamental truth. Although it makes a compelling case for Christianity, it is not a Christian book per se.

A superb book, even more relevant today than when it wasn't written. I've already read 'Mere Christianity' and the Narnia and Hideous Strength books but I only came across this because of reading quotes posted on the internet and being amazed that Lewis had summed up so succinctly what I had been thinking for some time - that as a society we are currently sawing off the branch we are sitting on, by undermining traditional values and ethics without having anything solid to replace them with. This should be a required text for all school children to read. Along with Ray Bradbury's 'Fahrenheit 451' and Robert Pirsig's 'Zen and the Art of Motorcyle Maintenance'

In a nutshell: 5 stars for the actual content of the book, C S Lewis's text. 1 star for the appalling editing done by the company who produced this version - a lack of consistency in capitalisation and many words broken up by hyphenation on the same line, to the point that it is distracting. I suggest that those wanting to read this text for the first time find a different edition.

Very intellectual, a good examination of teaching English and what a statement or assertion actuall means. Lewis’ writing is top notch and super easy to read. Not really any revelatory information, but some interesting points on the societal impacts of poor education systems and the damage insidious idealogocal biases can have on the lessons being taught by teachers.

Actually this must be about the fifth copy I've purchased because I keep giving them away. Such a very important - and prophetic - book. Although C S Lewis is known as a Christian writer, this is more about education and the nurturing of the emotional/spiritual/"heart" of youngsters. He uses the term "men without chests" to describe the effect of education which focuses only on the mind and the body and forgets the appreciation of beauty. .

It describes the problems we face today. The things Lewis saw 50 years ago before more and more present in the mind of people. This book shows the problem with that. Should be ready by more people

Before reading this book I thought it was impossible to get near a proof of the existence of god via literature only. I was wrong! This book proves the very existence of transcendance in our world on pure literature grounds.

I am amazed that CS Lewis saw so clearly into the future what we have in the present. I will recommend this to all my friends.

This book was written in the shadow of World War II, at a time when right and wrong were fairly clear, even though there still could be some discussion, and when many of the moral issues of our time were barely on the epistemological radar. That CS Lewis is able to foresee where we are now in our time and the challenges that pose our different ideological, political, religious and philosophical perspectives from the depth of several decades is truly remarkable. I cannot say enough about how important it is to read and reread this book, as it lays out nicely the questions that are posed by current thought, as they might have been viewed at a distance, during a time when asking those questions was perhaps unthinkable to the common citizen. As usual, Lewis sees into the future of thought and of popular opinion, and draws lines. A truly important, clearly laid out essay that is helpful for understanding where we were, where we are and still, where we are going collectively in the West.

This was just really enjoyable to read. Quick, certainly, but, oh, such excellent writing! And even clearer philosophy. I feel I must approach the Master with great humility, for his style and thoughts are so much clearer than my own. What right have I to critique him? I'll do it anyway. This would be an excellent introductory book to a class on religions. Lewis displays a convincing argument for the existence of morality, using resources from many different traditions, not just his own Christian one. He is to be commended however for also stating his own tradition, that we might know his biases. (The only flaw is a lack of Islamic sources, perhaps because Lewis tended to know less about that particular religion than others.) It is hard to walk away from the book still convinced that there are no ethics, or that an aethitical system is possible. Those who have read other Lewis works will see echoes here, such as the essay On First Things from God in the Dock, That Hideous Strength, and the Magician's Nephew. Lewis uses his knowledge of literature to show us that morality is necessary if we are to speak realistically at all; that an amoral system of ethics is by nature moral; and that one absent of any morality at all is reduced simply to animal instincts. In this last unit, he preaches of the fear that science will reduce humanity into mere object, rather than into a glorious creation. In no way is this anti-scientific diatribe- but rather cautionary tale of the dangers of excess, if we continue in our current vein of thought. A couple flaws bring the book down. Early on, he takes a swipe at pacifism by implying that there is something wrong with those who argue that men are more righteous if they value peace over war. Happily, this is only momentary. And secondly, he consistently uses the word "man". Lewis is a product of his times, yes, but he also strongly argued against inclusive language or women in the pulpit, and his language reflects this. And so the book's title. As well as the use of the term "redskin" when referring to ancient Native American beliefs at the end of the book. Lewis is at his best when demolishing arguments, using the arguments of his opponents. He does this with tact and compassion, not even mentioning the opponents by name, and constantly complimenting on what they have said- but not being afraid to point out the great tragedy that would result if students of a particular "Little Green Book" were to take the authors seriously. If followed, we would lose something deep within us, the capacity to have passion, and enjoy life, out of which morality springs. For following the guidelines of the Little Green Book, we would no longer be able to say something was good in and of itself, but only that it felt good, as everything is now subjective. But there is an alternative, the Tao, the Way, which we find in all cultures everywhere, and in all religious traditions. The morality, as Lewis has said many times before in many other places, is basically the same in all religious systems; there is only the smallest of differences between them. And this morality is the guiding principle, or can be, or should be, for us all. It is inherent in our . . . very nature.