"The Abolition of Man" is a book written by C.S. Lewis in 1943. In this book, Lewis argues that the decline of education is leading to the decay of human morality, which is in turn causing the destruction of humanity.
The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, Lewis criticizes the educational system of his time, which he believes is focused solely on training students for practical purposes and neglects the development of their moral character. He argues that education should aim to cultivate a sense of universal morality that is based on objective truth, rather than relativism.
In the second part, Lewis presents a critique of moral subjectivism, the belief that moral values are determined by individual preference or cultural norms, rather than objective truth. He argues that this view is self-contradictory, as it denies the existence of any objective moral values while relying on them to make moral judgments.
In the third and final part of the book, Lewis warns of the consequences of abandoning objective morality. He argues that if we reject the idea of objective truth and moral values, we will lose our humanity and become slaves to our own desires. He also argues that the pursuit of science and technology without a moral foundation can lead to the destruction of humanity, as it allows us to manipulate and control nature without any sense of moral responsibility.
Lewis contends that the application of arbitrary moral standards and the manipulation of people by those in positions of authority are the root causes of this dehumanization. According to his prediction, people raised in such a society will be incapable of making moral decisions for themselves and will be easily influenced by those in positions of authority.
Throughout the book, Lewis uses examples from literature, philosophy, and history to illustrate his arguments. He also draws on his own experiences as a teacher and writer to highlight the importance of education and the dangers of moral relativism.
Overall, "The Abolition of Man" is a powerful critique of modern education and moral relativism, and a call to recognize the importance of objective truth and morality in preserving humanity.
