Affection By Cs Lewis Analysis

Reading C.S Lewis' writing on affection was incredibly enlightening for me. What surprised me the most was not only that his insight was not only philosophical but also that his insight was very theological and practical.

C.S Lewis claimed that "Affection" is the humblest and most widely diffused of loves, which portrays the least difference that of the animals. In fact, it is so humble and diffused that it gives itself no airs as Lewis himself says. Although "Affection" has its own criteria, C.S Lewis suggests all objects can be an object of affection as it is the most catholic, the least finical, the broadest of all natural loves.

Some people, therefore, raises a valid question that is, "is the love of affection enough in itself?" or rather in my understanding, "is Affection a perfect love in itself?" C.S Lewis plainly answers that question, "No" and he gives out two answers based on …show more content…
When other natural loves like friendship and love require mutual efforts and merits, people assumes that Affection is a built-in nature of all people. Therefore, people claim that they have a right to expect affection from other people. Lewis, however, argues that what we have is not "right to expect" but "reasonable expectation of being loved by our intimates if we are ordinary people." Lewis, therefore, gives an example of how so often and so many people act and lives in a way that they are utterly unlovable. Such people who so hard to love because of rudeness and ugliness of their actions demands affection from others, which hurts both giver and receiver of affection. Jealousy, on the other hand, expects those who gives affection to them won't ever change as familiarity is key component of affection. Affection, therefore, does not always bring good and happiness in itself but the perversion of Affection can suffocate