Moral decay and decadence in Lewis’ The Abolition of Man Anonymous 12th Grade

In his philosophical treatise The Abolition of Man, C. S. Lewis delves into the theme of moral decay and decadence, positing that the acceptance of moral relativism, the belief that all moral values are subjective and culturally relative, leads to the deterioration of society and the dehumanization of individuals. As Lewis writes, "To be human is to have a particular kind of moral knowledge" (Lewis, The Abolition of Man). Lewis maintains that the recognition of objective moral truths is imperative for the perpetuation and flourishing of human society, and that the neglect of virtues and the contemplation of the natural order of the universe results in moral and spiritual decay.

Lewis starts the book by discussing a popular textbook for English teachers, The Green Book, which he argues promotes a moral philosophy known as "sciism," which asserts that scientific knowledge is the only true knowledge and that all moral values are subjective and culturally relative. Lewis asserts that this philosophy is perilous because it undermines the foundations of human morality and leads to the "abolition" of man, or the destruction of the human species as we know it. As he writes, "The ultimate aim of the State is not to produce material...