- Published: September 25, 2022
- Updated: September 25, 2022
- University / College: University of Southampton
- Level: Masters
- Language: English
- Downloads: 18
Question 1: Lewis’ argument
Based on the argument by Lewis derived from the book ‘ The abolition of man,” it is clear that the main argument Lewis was putting forth is the assumption of judgment. According to Lewis, all value judgments were generally subjective (Smilde 2). In this context Lewis further argues that judgment made do not always reflect the objective reality (Smilde 2).
1. In support of the argument, for sure humans do not make judgment that represents the objective reality. The best examples are the authors of English text books for upper forms of schools. Most authors do say “ We often appear to be saying something very important about the other thing but actually we are saying something about our own feelings (Smilde 3). Under this view, someone who calls water falls a sublime or a horse a willing servant is not actually talking about the waterfall or the horse but his own feelings and emotions (Smilde 3).
2. Supporting the argument, it is important to note that all value judgments made by humans are basically subjective by nature since modern human beings are usually faced with a choice to make between two evils (Smilde 4). When making judgment, people go wrong by only hoping that at least some value judgment will at least be objective. This all depends on probability which might not reflect the reality.
3. The other reason supporting Lewis argument is the fact that most judgment made by humans are built on false assumptions which comes from confusion of thought (Smilde 5). To supplement on this, there is debunk of human sense of value in which it is highly inconvenient and incurable when engaged in decision making. This is simply because morality is human and humanity is nature and that nature is a thing to rule not to be ruled by (Smilde 5). This means humanity rules over judgment and decision making and not by the truth of the situation.
Question 2: Legal/moral laws
1. Treat others as you would want them to treat you. This law is meant to promote generalized harmony and safe stay among people within the society. If everybody in the society follow this law cases of discrimination and other crimes would not happen (Stanford 3). The legality of the law is the fact that it allows tit for tat policy where people would fear ill-treating others for them they wouldn’t want to be ill-treated.
2. Do not kill is another law which is ethically and morally appealing to the human race. The value of human life is very important and everybody has to protect and preserve life (Stanford 5). When this law is implemented and followed by everybody, the moral campaign within the society will see unethical characters like murder, abortion and self-death will cease as everybody will value life (Stanford 3).
3. Adultery and prostitution illegality. This is another law that is based on promoting socially ethical character among people in the community. When adultery and prostitution is illegal, then people will have to be faithful to their wives. When this law is implemented, there will be reduction in domestic cases of cheating husbands and wives which are very dangerous and can result in murder (Stanford 6). Moreover, cases of sexually transmitted infections will also reduce as everybody will have one intimate partner.
4. Freedom of worship. This is another law that aims promoting harmony by respecting every culture, traditions and religious beliefs of human races (Stanford 10). It should be noted that human culture, traditions and religion is dynamic and it varies depending on the community. When this law is implemented, a God fearing society shall be created and peaceful living promoted. This is because, most religion preach peace and love.
5. Rights for fair treatment. This is another law that will promote ethical and moral relationships among people despite social class, tribe or race. This law aims at ensuring the society is one and that everybody is equal to the other. When fully implemented and followed by people, this law will eliminate traces of unethical character like nepotism, tribalism and racialism (Stanford 12).
Works cited
Smilde, Arend. C. S. Lewis: The abolition of man (1943). 2012. Web. 12 May, 2014.
Stanford. Precedent and analogy in legal reasoning. 2006. Web. 12 May, 2014.