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C.S. Lewis
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The Abolition of Man Paperback – Deckle Edge, April 7, 2015

by C. S. Lewis (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,909 ratings
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In many ways C. S. Lewis predicted the future. “He foresaw the rise of trends we’re currently experiencing: ethical emotivism, the sometimes unquestioned authority of science, and the increasing use of technology by states to control their populations.” –The Gospel Coalition, Joseph A. Kohm Jr.

The Abolition of Man discusses why we shouldn’t always listen to only reason and cut out our emotions. Lewis argues that reason without emotion there is not a reality. He debunks arguments that the purist form of reason is instinct, that benevolent actions will be found through pursuing science, and that science will be the best moral compass for mankind to follow. Lewis proves that moral absolutes do exist and they are universal throughout all of time.

This is a book for C. S. Lewis fans and anyone who wants to better understand traditional moral virtues and how they impact your life. Lewis said, “If nothing is self-evident then nothing can be proved.” There must be self-evident truths that can be applied everywhere. The book brings together a series of lectures on education that Lewis delivered over three nights at the University of Durham. 

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  1. Print length
    128 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HarperOne
  4. Publication date
    April 7, 2015
  5. Reading age
    18 years and up
  6. Dimensions
    5.31 x 0.29 x 8 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    9780060652944
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0060652944
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A Real Triumph." -- Owen Barfield

From the Back Cover

In The Abolition of Man, C. S. Lewis sets out to persuade his audience of the importance and relevance of universal values such as courage and honor in contemporary society. Both astonishing and prophetic, this book is one of the most debated of Lewis's extraordinary works. National Review chose it as number seven on their "100 Best Nonfiction Books of the Twentieth Century."

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0060652942
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperOne; 31705th edition (April 7, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780060652944
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060652944
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.29 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,909 ratings

About the author

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C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis

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CLIVE STAPLES LEWIS (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a fellow and tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954 when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics, the Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
2,909 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the content profoundly insightful and a source for defense of natural law and western civilization. Opinions are mixed on readability, with some finding it excellent and quick, while others say it's hard to read.

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ContentReadability
84 customers mention "Content"84 positive0 negative

Customers find the book profoundly insightful, magnificent, and great in meaning and import. They also say it's convincing, truth-telling, and prophetic. Readers also mention it'll make them recognize and review much of their life.

"Classic insights from arguably the most influential Christian apologist of our time...." Read more

"...If your reading this, though, let me say, it is surprising and a bit confusing. It’s not the typical Lewis read...." Read more

"...will read and want to re-read again to marinate in the arguments, truth-telling, and prescience of C.S. Lewis." Read more

"Written decades ago, this book helps us understand the problems of today and what will happen if we don't stop the present trends." Read more

76 customers mention "Readability"32 positive44 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the readability of the book. Some find it well-written, interesting, and provoked, while others say it's hard to read, with plenty of words run together and it requires a slow read. Additionally, readers mention that there are typos throughout and words hyphenated in the middle of sentences.

"...But again it's that difficult means of writing that makes me wonder if there is some aspect of him being partially a charlatan or simply not..." Read more

"...The book is short." Read more

"Difficult for the average reader , many times I would have to repeat a paragraph but once you get his thought that values constantly change...." Read more

"...It’s a short read. Yet when I finished, I immediately went and watched a lecture on it to help be better understand what I just read...." Read more

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5 out of 5 stars
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You will the annotate the hell out of this book, in a good way. Every word and reference is purposeful and if you really want the most out of this book, be patient with the opening argument Lewis’ makes in the first few pages. Take your time and it will be worth it because what he has to say at the micro level really matters at the macro, and everything about what we struggle with today as a culture will bring a lot more understanding
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Top reviews from the United States

J. D. W,
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2024
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Classic insights from arguably the most influential Christian apologist of our time. His insights convey as truths rather than narrow parochial religious talking points. Lewis' body of work speaks for itself through time, and is definitely worth the read for any seeker of truth, Christian or not. If you are curious about what Lewis might be all about, this might be a good place to start. The book is short.
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Nichols
5.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not what I expected from this landmark book.
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2023
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Likely your buying this book not because of my review. If your reading this, though, let me say, it is surprising and a bit confusing. It’s not the typical Lewis read. He uses a critic of a grammar text to engage in cultural apologetics of relativism, even touching on the excessive individualism, and feeling centered self that is still a primary marker of culture. He builds a broad and general case for natural moral law using the language of the Tao. It’s a short read. Yet when I finished, I immediately went and watched a lecture on it to help be better understand what I just read. It’s Lewis so it’s good. But it was Lewis so I expected something different.
7 people found this helpful
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Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone Should Read This
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2024
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A fantastic book. You will read and want to re-read again to marinate in the arguments, truth-telling, and prescience of C.S. Lewis.
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Marilyn Zwissler
4.0 out of 5 stars Intellectual Analysis of Humanity
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024
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This treatise requires a thorough knowledge of classical and age of enlightenment philosophy and literature. Logical arguments that may have come true.
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albion sue
5.0 out of 5 stars Don’t miss this book!
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024
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Everyone should read this book. Lewis nails the bedrock of the Natural Law, the true cornerstone of what the Natural Law has built. And, the absolute necessity that our children are taught its history and the philosophers who formed it starting before the Common Era BC. Philosophy must be taught in primary education through college. It gives the paradigm for man’s existential existence. Most young people today couldn't give 2 sentences on the principles behind the philosophical bedrock on which we stand. DEA has failed!
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Wildman
5.0 out of 5 stars C S Lewis has an extraordinarily brilliant and perceptive mind.
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2024
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Written decades ago, this book helps us understand the problems of today and what will happen if we don't stop the present trends.
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Nicholas Costi
3.0 out of 5 stars A Brief and Difficult Read
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2024
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This is a tough book to comprehend, but it makes a few succinct points that make it worth reading. It starts abruptly with many references as you are intercepting a conversation but don't know what the conversation was originally about.

I think the central point Lewis was making was that as we surrender to greater and greater technologies and conveniences we are largely unchanged as people but we also give up a certain level of control to the process. However, his writing is at times impenetrable, and I will read certain lines two or three times before I get mentally fatigued by trying to comprehend what he is trying to say.

An example would be the line:

"A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery."

On its own not so hard, but when you stumble across it in a block of text it becomes tiring. With that said the essay does have that prophetic quality where some of what he's saying seems to have become more broadly true today, especially when we think about how things like social media and AI are changing so rapidly, things that Lewis could not have known the existence of.

But again it's that difficult means of writing that makes me wonder if there is some aspect of him being partially a charlatan or simply not proofreading his works for readability that makes it hard for me to figure out what he's saying without reading and rereading every other line.
2 people found this helpful
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Jedidiah Abdul Muhib Carosaari
5.0 out of 5 stars On First Things
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2004
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This was just really enjoyable to read. Quick, certainly, but, oh, such excellent writing! And even clearer philosophy. I feel I must approach the Master with great humility, for his style and thoughts are so much clearer than my own. What right have I to critique him?

I'll do it anyway.

This would be an excellent introductory book to a class on religions. Lewis displays a convincing argument for the existence of morality, using resources from many different traditions, not just his own Christian one. He is to be commended however for also stating his own tradition, that we might know his biases. (The only flaw is a lack of Islamic sources, perhaps because Lewis tended to know less about that particular religion than others.) It is hard to walk away from the book still convinced that there are no ethics, or that an aethitical system is possible.

Those who have read other Lewis works will see echoes here, such as the essay On First Things from God in the Dock, That Hideous Strength, and the Magician's Nephew. Lewis uses his knowledge of literature to show us that morality is necessary if we are to speak realistically at all; that an amoral system of ethics is by nature moral; and that one absent of any morality at all is reduced simply to animal instincts. In this last unit, he preaches of the fear that science will reduce humanity into mere object, rather than into a glorious creation. In no way is this anti-scientific diatribe- but rather cautionary tale of the dangers of excess, if we continue in our current vein of thought.

A couple flaws bring the book down. Early on, he takes a swipe at pacifism by implying that there is something wrong with those who argue that men are more righteous if they value peace over war. Happily, this is only momentary. And secondly, he consistently uses the word "man". Lewis is a product of his times, yes, but he also strongly argued against inclusive language or women in the pulpit, and his language reflects this. And so the book's title. As well as the use of the term "redskin" when referring to ancient Native American beliefs at the end of the book.

Lewis is at his best when demolishing arguments, using the arguments of his opponents. He does this with tact and compassion, not even mentioning the opponents by name, and constantly complimenting on what they have said- but not being afraid to point out the great tragedy that would result if students of a particular "Little Green Book" were to take the authors seriously. If followed, we would lose something deep within us, the capacity to have passion, and enjoy life, out of which morality springs. For following the guidelines of the Little Green Book, we would no longer be able to say something was good in and of itself, but only that it felt good, as everything is now subjective.

But there is an alternative, the Tao, the Way, which we find in all cultures everywhere, and in all religious traditions. The morality, as Lewis has said many times before in many other places, is basically the same in all religious systems; there is only the smallest of differences between them. And this morality is the guiding principle, or can be, or should be, for us all. It is inherent in our . . . very nature.
22 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Javin Carelse
5.0 out of 5 stars Wish I read years ago. Gave to a bunch of coworkers.
Reviewed in Canada on July 28, 2024
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C.S. Lewis sums up what following Christ aught to look like really well! The first few chapters can be a little tough if you're not a big reader, but just like the Office Season 1 powering through is well worth it.
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tio gegeca
3.0 out of 5 stars good price, but full of errors
Reviewed in Brazil on July 4, 2024
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I liked the price, but the eBook is full of graphic and orthographic mistakes, that could easily be corrected if the publisher cared a little more for its work.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant reasoning
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 23, 2024
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A must have for just about everyone whether persuaded by or acting against post-modernism and relativism. C.S. Lewis gives a short but masterpiece lesson on fundamental truth.
Although it makes a compelling case for Christianity, it is not a Christian book per se.
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J. Skywalker
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful
Reviewed in Mexico on December 11, 2020
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Great book. Should be a must read for young adults and college students. Perfect fit for actual times during the pandemic.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The Drift away from God’s role for man
Reviewed in Australia on June 30, 2021
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I can totally resonate with Lewis’ views on how the ‘modern era’ is eroding the Biblical view on the role of men. He also gives some insights on where this trend might lead, and how ultimately it may have a catastrophic impact on the cohesion and structure of modern society.
The author has captured the deep insightful thoughts on how C S Lewis has prophesied the demise of Biblical man!
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