by C.S. Lewis
First published 1978
Lewis begins with English education in secondary schools and builds a case for objective moral values. He argues that natural law provides a foundation for human judgment that transcends cultural differences. The book criticizes educators and intellectuals who debunk traditional values without offering alternatives. Lewis warns that abandoning objective standards leads to moral relativism and ultimately destroys the basis for human dignity. He defends scientific inquiry while rejecting scientism that reduces all knowledge to measurable phenomena. The work shows how eliminating universal principles creates conditions where humans treat other humans as objects to be manipulated. Lewis offers readers a framework for understanding why certain values deserve protection and how education should cultivate rather than undermine moral reasoning.
Genres: philosophy, education, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: academic-argument
128 pages · Paperback · Macmillan Publishing Company