Fleeting thoughts – back to source
Context of the Quote CS Lewis quote
C.S. Lewis once warned that “without a shared moral foundation, society risks moral chaos or tyranny.” He believed that objective values are essential for human flourishing—and that abandoning them leads to the “abolition” of what it means to be truly human. The quote appears in the third lecture/chapter of the book, titled “The Abolition of Man.” Here’s the key idea behind it:
Lewis is arguing against the relativistic and subjectivist trends in modern education and philosophy, which dismiss traditional moral values as mere “superstitions.” He warns that if we discard these values—such as duty to parents, justice, fidelity, and patriotism—as irrational or outdated, we also undermine the very foundations of any moral or ethical system, including those values we still claim to uphold (like scientific inquiry or social justice).
“The rebellion of new ideologies against the Tao is a rebellion of the branches against the tree: if the rebels could succeed they would find that they had destroyed themselves.”
This metaphor illustrates his point: just as branches cannot survive without the tree, modern ideologies cannot sustain themselves if they sever their roots in the moral traditions they seek to replace.
Why It Matters
Lewis’s warning is that without a shared moral foundation, society risks moral chaos or tyranny. He believed that objective values are necessary for human flourishing and that rejecting them leads to the “abolition” of what it means to be truly human.
Some thoughts – In quick hurried summary
The irony?
Many who invoke this quote today, in whole or in part, often overlook its broader implications. They seek to influence a curated and narrow prescriptive moral framework—one rooted in the worldview of a small, authoritative minority—while ignoring the global reality we now live in. Even more challenging today is that a hope for a shared moral foundation must now account for the dignity, autonomy, and lived experiences of over 8 billion people, not just the ideals of an often self-selected privileged few.
When moral authority is wielded to suppress individual free-will and agency under the guise of benevolence, it ceases to be moral at all. History—and our present—shows us that trusting a select few to define what’s “best” for everyone often leads not to flourishing, but to control, exclusion, and harm.
It is my observation that many people use this particular quote from The Abolition of Man to justify their own subjective views—self-serving or not—rather than embracing its broader, more universal meaning.
The Fun Challenge to the above quote and Thoughts:
A Reminder from Feynman and the Story of Icarus
Let’s start with a quote and reminder from the physicist Richard Feynman:
“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself—and you are the easiest person to fool.”
This reminder from Feynman serves as a powerful reminder, especially when we consider how easily we accept cultural dogmas without question.
Take, for instance, the Aristotelian idea an philosophy of the “Law of the Golden Mean”—often paraphrased in modern culture as “moderation in all things.” While this principle is too frequently invoked to justify religious or faith-based beliefs and actions or inactions, its philosophical roots run deeper. It echoes the ancient myth of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun with wings of wax and gold. The story warns us not just about excess, but about the dangers of ignoring balance and wisdom in pursuit of lofty ideals.
But the idea predates Aristotle. The ancient Greeks embedded it in myth— the story of Icarus. Daedalus, his father, warned him not to fly too high lest the sun melt his waxen wings, nor too low lest the sea dampen them. Icarus, intoxicated by the thrill of flight, soared too close to the sun and fell. The tale is often read as a cautionary metaphor for hubris, but it also illustrates the peril of ignoring balance. The more recent adaptations of “How to Train Your Dragon” by DreamWorks in films share and highlight how Hiccup and Toothless work together not to fall prey to either as a subplot to many other story arcs.
Even Roman thinkers like Horace championed the aurea mediocritas—the “golden mean”—as a path to a contented life, free from the chaos of excess. And yet, as Feynman reminds us, even these revered principles can become dogma if we stop questioning them.
So here’s the challenge: can we hold onto wisdom without turning it into unquestioned truth? Can we embrace balance without becoming blind to its limits?
Some Stoic examples to thought to include:
- Epictetus
- While he didn’t use the term “Golden Mean,” he often spoke about avoiding excess and deficiency in emotions and desires.
- Example: In the Discourses, he advises not to be carried away by pleasure or pain, which aligns with the idea of balance.
- Seneca
- He warns against both indulgence and asceticism, advocating for a measured life.
- In Letter 5 of Letters to Lucilius, he writes:
“Philosophy calls for plain living, but not for penance.”
- Marcus Aurelius
- In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius often reflects on temperance, self-discipline, and equanimity.
- He encourages avoiding extremes in behavior and emotion, striving instead for inner harmony and rational action.
“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it.”
Faith based concepts (since many that use CS Lewis forget to include this context and often considered it assumed common ground – perhaps or perhaps not):
Shared moral values are a fundamental aspect of Jesus Christ’s teachings, particularly evident in his emphasis on love, compassion, justice, and the inherent dignity of every individual.
- The Greatest Commandments: Jesus identified two great commandments: to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and to “Love your neighbor as yourself”. This second commandment is a foundation for how people treat others and has implications for societal interactions.
- The Golden Rule: Found in Matthew 7:12, this teaching states, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets”. This principle emphasizes empathy and reciprocal treatment, encouraging individuals to consider how they would want to be treated in a similar situation and act accordingly.
- The Beatitudes: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus outlines a series of attitudes and virtues that lead to blessedness, such as being merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. These characteristics encourage values like humility, compassion, and a longing for justice, extending beyond personal actions to cultivate an inner disposition toward God and others.
- Challenging Cultural Norms: Jesus’s teachings often challenged the prevailing cultural norms and societal values of his time. For example, his emphasis on loving enemies and not retaliating with violence challenged the common practice of seeking revenge. He also elevated the status of the marginalized, including women, children, and the poor, challenging discriminatory practices and advocating for their dignity.
Here’s a thought to consider:
“Rather than endlessly debating which worldview is superior, consider drawing wisdom from multiple traditions. Use these insights to shape your own philosophy and personal practice—then let your actions show that collaboration and diversity of thought are more powerful than any single perspective. “
This is my own interpretation of a thought shared by Ryan Holiday!
Thi Nguyen also offers a compelling perspective worth including in one’s journeys, arguing that social structures and technologies profoundly shape how we think and what we value. In his work on value capture and gamification, he warns that when we rely on simplified metrics—such as likes, scores, or follower counts—we risk surrendering our values to external systems that can distort our sense of agency.
