Friday, December 11, 2009

C.S. Lewis on morality

In Mere Christianity, (Book 3, Section 1) Lewis argues we should talk about moral rules and obedience, rather than moral ideals and idealism:
Perfect behaviour may be as unattainable as perfect gear-changing when we drive; but it is a necessary ideal prescribed for all men by the very nature of the human machine just as perfect gear-changing is an ideal prescribed for all drivers by the very nature of cars.
He emphasises the multiple dimensions to morality. It is not just concerned with human relationships.
Morality, then, seems to be concerned with three things. Firstly, with fair play and harmony between individuals. Secondly, with what might be called tidying up or harmonising the things inside each individual. Thirdly. with the general purpose of human life as a whole: what man was made for:

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