Beyond Narnia
The second lecture, “The Way,” examines values in humankind and society. Although Lewis was an ardent Christian, this chapter is not approached from that standpoint. In fact it is written in general terms and many religions are referred to. Lewis argues that all people are born with an inherent sense of values or “The Tao.” This “Tao” is a set of values that is universal to all religions and is something that we all know to be true. He also argues that those people who wish to tear down the “Tao” can only do so because they have learned to do this because of the “Tao.” Although I am describing this badly, Lewis’ point is clear!
The third and final lecture is called “The Abolition of Man.” Lewis brings together the first two chapters to culminate into this much easier to read conclusion. While the first two chapters are filled with language that some of you (as I had to) might have to keep the old pocket dictionary nearby, the third chapter is in easy to read English! It discusses mankind’s advances in technology and our wish to command nature. By commanding it however, we only manage to undermine ourselves. The stronger we believe we are by conquering nature, the weaker we make mankind. The more dependent we become on our technology, the weaker we are for it. It is a wonderful revelation coming form a man who had not yet seen a t.v. in every home, cell phone in every teenage backpack or the race to clone a human being.
The book is short, only 81 pages not counting the Appendix. Don’t let this fool you. Each page is packed. Every word means something and each sentence is a statement. If you want to read a book that is going to expand your mind just a bit and you have a day to consume some knowledge, read “The Abolition of Man.” It is a book about the importance of old values in society today. It is perhaps even more relevant today than when he wrote in 1944 considering our technological advances we have made and will continue to make until as he states, “...as soon as we take the final step of reducing our own species to the level of pure Nature, the whole process is stultified, for this time the being who stood to gain and the being who has been sacrificed are one and the
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