C.S. Lewis and The Abolition of Man
C.S. Lewis’s The Abolition of Man: A Timeless Warning on Morality and Progress
First published in 1943, The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis offers a powerful critique of moral relativism, scientism, and the rejection of objective values. Written during the dark days of World War II, the book remains extremely relevant today, especially in this era of rapid technological advancement and shifting ethical boundaries. Originally delivered as a series of lectures, it later took shape as a compelling argument for the necessity of universal moral principles.
Lewis argues that when a society discards belief in objective values—what he calls the Tao—it not only undermines morality but also risks losing what makes us human. The book is structured into three chapters: Men Without Chests, The Way, and The Abolition of Man, each of which explores different aspects of this central concern.
1. Subjectivism and the Rejection of Objective Value
In the opening chapter, Men Without Chests, Lewis critiques a growing trend in education that dismisses objective values in favour of subjective feelings. He examines a contemporary English textbook—referred to as The Green Book—which encourages students to view statements of value as mere expressions of personal emotion rather than reflections of any deeper truth.
For instance, if someone calls a waterfall “sublime,” the authors of The Green Book claim that this statement says nothing about the waterfall itself but only about the speaker’s internal feelings. Lewis warns that this way of thinking cultivates a form of moral subjectivism, leading young minds to believe that all values are arbitrary and personal.
“Until quite modern times all teachers and even all men believed that the universe had a certain moral order and that moral laws could be discerned.” — The Abolition of Man
By eroding belief in objective morality, Lewis argues, we produce what he calls “men without chests”—people lacking the inner moral compass needed to regulate their actions. The “chest” represents the seat of virtue, where reason and emotion are harmonized to guide ethical behaviour. Without it, individuals either become cold, calculating rationalists or impulsive beings ruled by their appetites.
His warning is clear: a society that abandons objective values raises a generation incapable of true virtue, leaving a moral void where power and self-interest take precedence. If this was true in the 1940’s how much more today?
2. The Tao: The Foundation of Universal Morality
In the second chapter, The Way, Lewis makes a case for the existence of a universal moral law, which he refers to as the Tao. Borrowing the term from Chinese philosophy, Lewis uses it to describe the shared ethical principles that have underpinned civilizations across history. From ancient Greece to Confucian China to Christian Europe, societies have recognized certain fundamental moral truths.
Lewis argues that even those who claim to reject traditional morality cannot escape its fundamental principles. Attempts to construct new ethical frameworks inevitably draw upon elements of the Tao. Without it, moral reasoning collapses into nothing more than subjective preference.
“This thing which I have called for convenience the Tao, and which others may call Natural Law or Traditional Morality or the First Principles of Practical Reason or the First Platitudes, is not one among a series of possible systems of value. It is the sole source of all value judgments.” — The Abolition of Man
Lewis also warns of the dangers of selectively modifying moral principles to fit the demands of the moment. He likens it to pruning a plant—cut too much, and it withers and dies. Likewise, when societies attempt to reshape morality without regard for its deeper roots, they risk severing themselves from the foundation of human flourishing.
3. The Pursuit of Power and the "Abolition" of Humanity
In the final chapter, The Abolition of Man, Lewis turns his focus to humanity’s drive to dominate nature through science and technology. While he acknowledges the benefits of scientific progress, he cautions that when power is wielded without moral restraint, it leads to control—not just over nature, but over human beings themselves.
Lewis introduces the concept of the "Conditioners"—individuals who, having rejected the Tao, seek to reshape humanity according to their own desires. These figures, unbound by traditional ethics, impose their will through technological and psychological manipulation. The result is not human progress but dehumanization—people reduced to mere objects to be shaped by those in control.
“Man’s conquest of Nature turns out, in the moment of its consummation, to be Nature’s conquest of Man.” — The Abolition of Man
Lewis foresaw a future where unchecked scientific power could lead to dystopian consequences. He anticipated ethical dilemmas surrounding bioengineering, psychological conditioning, and the push for transhumanism—all driven by the belief that humanity can be reshaped at will. In such a world, even the very definition of what it means to be human is at risk of being erased.
Critique of Scientism and Moral Relativism
Throughout The Abolition of Man, Lewis challenges the ideology of scientism—the belief that science alone can answer all human questions and serve as the ultimate guide to progress. While he fully acknowledges the value of scientific inquiry, he warns against elevating it to the status of moral authority.
Lewis contrasts scientific power with moral wisdom. Science, when guided by ethical principles, can actually serve humanity well. But when it is detached from those principles, and attached from the goal of human flourishing, it becomes a dangerous tool in the hands of those who seek control without accountability.
“What we call Man’s power over Nature turns out to be a power exercised by some men over other men with Nature as its instrument.” — The Abolition of Man
Lewis’ critique of moral relativism is so sharp. Without belief in objective values, he argues, society becomes a battleground of competing interests, where power dictates truth and morality is reduced to whatever benefits those in control.
Modern Relevance of Lewis’s Ideas
Lewis’s insights in The Abolition of Man feel even more relevant today than when he wrote them. As we navigate ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence, genetic modification, and behavioural manipulation through technology, his warnings about the consequences of unchecked power ring true. The rise of transhumanism and technocratic governance mirrors the very concerns he laid out decades ago.
His defence of objective moral values also challenges today’s prevailing cultural trends. Can a society truly thrive without a shared ethical foundation? Lewis suggests that while cultures may express morality in different ways, the underlying principles remain remarkably consistent—and essential to human well-being.
Conclusion: The Urgency of Preserving the Tao
At its core, The Abolition of Man is more than just a critique of modern education or a defence of traditional values. It is a call to safeguard what makes us human. Lewis urges us to recognize that real progress does not come from discarding moral principles but from preserving and applying them wisely.
In an age where technological power grows seemingly unchecked and moral certainty erodes, his message is more pressing than ever. Without adherence to the Tao, we risk becoming, as he puts it, "the trousered ape"—beings with immense power but lacking the wisdom to use it well.
“You cannot go on ‘explaining away’ forever: you will find that you have explained explanation itself away. You cannot go on ‘seeing through’ things forever. The whole point of seeing through something is to see something through it.” — The Abolition of Man
Lewis’s challenge remains clear: if we are to avoid the abolition of man, we must return to the Tao—and in doing so, rediscover what it truly means to be human. Lewis like the other thinkers we have looked at, is very helpful when we consider what is needed if we are to build a future which has human flourishing as its goal.
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