The Abolition of Man

Name: The Abolition of Man
Rating: 4.5 (3027 reviews)
Author: C.S. Lewis

by C.S. Lewis

4.5

3027 Ratings 3027 Reviews

Lewis begins by criticizing modern education, particularly the way values and emotions are treated as mere subjective opinions rather than objective truths. He argues that this leads to a society where moral judgments become arbitrary, ultimately eroding the foundation of ethics and human dignity.

He introduces the concept of the Tao, referring to the universal moral law that transcends cultures and time periods. He believes that true human flourishing depends on recognizing and adhering to this objective moral order.

In the final section, Lewis warns that if humans reject objective values and attempt to redefine morality based on their own desires or scientific reasoning alone, they will not become more free or powerful. Instead, they will be controlled by those who manipulate morality to serve their own ends—leading to the “abolition of man,” where humanity loses its essence.

The book serves as a defense of natural law and a critique of modern ethical relativism, arguing that abandoning universal moral principles can lead to societal and existential consequences.