This is an attempt to convince the reader that there is a natural law at work in humanity and universal set of virtues that—with cross-cultural/cross-This is an attempt to convince the reader that there is a natural law at work in humanity and universal set of virtues that—with cross-cultural/cross-historical examples in the Appendix—amounts to an objectively true value system at work in human nature and produced by the greater order of the universe (he calls this “Tao” but really, it is God for him).
I wonder why he did not draw attention to vast differences in cultural systems that do not conform to some of these universal values? Why didn’t he mention that it’s an obvious and universal trait to seek power over one’s enemies and so the Dayaks of Borneo are absolutely right in their historical practice of cannibalism to ascertain that power? Oh, could it be that he is (rather obviously while trying to seem culturally relative) perpetuating a western religious system (Christian) of values as the “right” and “true” objective modus operandi for humanity as ordained by higher authority? I think so…
One could make the argument from a Humanist perspective that our common human experience in groups across time and culture can produce similar value systems that we may deem “universal” to some degree, but this is not his primus point. Lewis cherry picks values and establishes them as evidence of a morally objective, natural law. Like a magician, he pulls some near tricks like setting up a straw man version of “Instinct” to burn and misguide the reader into accepting his view. But, what he ends up sounding like is someone trying to set up a straw man argument to misguide the reader into accepting his view of things…
Steer clear of this piece. It is dated and leaves no room for subjectivism or cultural relativism outside of what Lewis has chosen to call “objective” morality. ...more
“…love was a distinctly human defect which God had created to counterbalance the power of human greed.”
This is a scathing portrait of a society inebri“…love was a distinctly human defect which God had created to counterbalance the power of human greed.”
This is a scathing portrait of a society inebriated with religious superstition and authoritarianism! It’s going to take me time to digest this book. Marx would be proud!
“The little gift of religion Barbara’s allowed the villagers on Sundays…was enough to fool them into accepting their poverty and enslavement.”
If you like shocking reads with cannibalism, adult breastfeeding, pubic hair eating, and lots of gory violence in a hyperbolic medieval context, this is for you. ...more
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