Although many understand the concept of human nature loosely, as an abstract idea that may or may not define what is means to be a human being, C.S. Lewis in The Abolition of Man, treats human nature as something serious and necessary, yet at risk of being pushed to the back of everyone’s minds and ultimately forgotten. Lewis’ work, which at first seems to be a critique of modern education, reaches into the depths of the human soul and tries to make sense of it. By taking a simple flaw in one literature book, he ascertains the direction in which human nature is going, where it should go and the consequences derived from both paths––which are either the elimination of or the infiniteness of the true nature of man.
In the first chapter, Lewis references an English schoolbook–The Green Book, as he calls it–written by authors he names Gaius and Titius. In The Green …show more content…
By seeking to overcome nature, the Innovators only gain control over one another and eventually, themselves. Without nature, humans become artificial; they have no roots, they cannot grow and they cannot change. With each rebuke of nature, the Innovators remove themselves from the true Tao and catapult into “the void.” At the end of this repudiation or “conquering” of the Tao, humans cease to be human; they will reach “the abolition of man.” The Innovators, who relinquish their souls, pursue a power which is feigned and not a real power at all. Lewis rationalizes that the Innovators’ goals are to regulate every part of nature, harness complete control over their own lives and deduce everything down to its simplest form so that it can be entirely seen through. However, “a wholly transparent world is an invisible world. To ‘see through’ all things is the same as not to see.” Thus, the Innovators, who pride themselves in reason, lose sight of reality, erase their humanity and become
In the first chapter, Lewis references an English schoolbook–The Green Book, as he calls it–written by authors he names Gaius and Titius. In The Green …show more content…
By seeking to overcome nature, the Innovators only gain control over one another and eventually, themselves. Without nature, humans become artificial; they have no roots, they cannot grow and they cannot change. With each rebuke of nature, the Innovators remove themselves from the true Tao and catapult into “the void.” At the end of this repudiation or “conquering” of the Tao, humans cease to be human; they will reach “the abolition of man.” The Innovators, who relinquish their souls, pursue a power which is feigned and not a real power at all. Lewis rationalizes that the Innovators’ goals are to regulate every part of nature, harness complete control over their own lives and deduce everything down to its simplest form so that it can be entirely seen through. However, “a wholly transparent world is an invisible world. To ‘see through’ all things is the same as not to see.” Thus, the Innovators, who pride themselves in reason, lose sight of reality, erase their humanity and become