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The Abolition of Man Summary

by | Aug 27, 2019 | Reviews | 0 comments

A book review on My Trading Bible by Mark Andrew Ritchie, which could also be known as the Rich Dad, Poor Dad on stock trading for Christians.

C.S. Lewis & The Abolition of Man

The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis is considered one of the masterpieces of the twentieth century. Written when Nazi Germany was terrorizing the world, Lewis warned of the true danger, of thinking oneself is the center of all true and above the moral law.

Book Context & Background

  • Published in 1944 during World War II
  • Written as a response to a grammar school textbook
  • More academic and dense compared to Lewis’s other works
  • Often misunderstood/misquoted, particularly regarding “men without chests”
  • Originally written as a long essay to fellow academics

 

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the abolition of man summary

Key Themes of The Abolition of Man

1. Critique of Relativism

  • Prompted by Lewis’s review of a grammar school textbook (“The Green Book”)
  • Challenges constructivism in education
  • Warns against the idea that meaning is solely determined by individual interpretation
  • Emphasizes the importance of objective truth

2. The Concept of “Men Without Chests”

  • Not about masculinity but about human nature
  • References Plato’s model of human nature:
    • Head (reason)
    • Chest (trained emotions/sentiments)
    • Belly (appetites)
  • Argues for the importance of trained sentiments and emotional education
  • Key quote: “We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise”

3. Objective Truth and Values

  • Introduces concept of “Tao” (Chinese term)
    • Represents objective reality and truth
    • Described as “the way in which the universe goes on”
  • Argues for existence of objective values
  • Emphasizes importance of understanding author’s intended meaning vs. personal interpretation

4. Warning About Technology and Power

  • Discusses dangers of human control over nature
  • Warns about potential for few to control many
  • Concerns about scientific planning and conditioning
  • Parallels drawn to Nazi actions

Modern Applications & Relevance

  1. Educational Impact
    • Constructivism in modern education
    • Whole language learning approach
    • Issues with “your truth” mentality
    • Impact on communication and meaning
  2. Contemporary Issues
    • References to modern social problems
    • Connection to current educational practices
    • Relevance to technological advancement

Additional Resources Mentioned

Related Books

Further Reading

Recommendations

  • Multiple readings recommended for full comprehension
  • Suggests reading companion essays and commentaries
  • Recommends group discussion for better understanding
  • Considers it a mindset-changing book worth studying

Notable Quotes

“We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.”

“The power of man to make himself what he pleases means… the power of some men to make other men what they please.”