The seat of Purity

Chapter 2. Some Reactions

In this chapter, Lewis refers to morality, and his definition of morality is as follows. "Morality is not one of instincts, nor is it a collection of instincts. Morality is something that conducts instincts and produces a kind of tune (a tune we call 'good' or 'right action')."(37p)

❖ Lewis speaks of natural law, in other words, morality prior to instinct, as a blessing given to man. But why does this moral rate obviously overlook the more facts that it loses to instincts when it is revealed in human behavior? He does not reveal the matter of sin or original sin. The problem of sin is different from the problem of morality of right and wrong.

Lewis took the example of a man who raised objections to his ideas. Morality, for example, is a reaction to the fact that it is nothing more than a social custom introduced by us through education. Lewis does not accept objection when he says that the rules of right and wrong, right action are the laws of human nature and the truth like mathematics.

❖ If Lewis can not explain when, where, how, and why morality is given to humans, then it is reasonable to argue that morality is merely an educated practice. Because the moral customs of each country in the world are slightly different. Sometimes there is a big difference in some areas. There are many cases that some actions are acceptable in some countries. but they are not allowed in other countries. Some philosophers called it "cultural relativism". And some thinkers who advocate social contracts often refer to morality as a kind of contract to maintain social order.

 The saying that morality is just the truth, such as the mathematics, is weakly persuasive.

1. Right and wrong, As a clue to the meaning of the universe

Chapter 1. The Law of Human Nature

The premise of C.S. Lewis:

Human nature has the ability to judge right and wrong. The law or rule of right and wrong is called the law of nature. In other words, we have the idea that we have to act in a certain way, and we can not throw it out in mind. But we do not behave in that way. In short, human beings are aware of the natural law, the law of human nature, but they live with betraying the law.

❖C.S. Lewis is an English scholar and philosopher who does not cite the Bible or say original sin when referring to such human nature. He approached to human nature with "the law of nature", but the question we wonder is more fundamental. When, where, and how did all universal human beings have this natural law? Is the answer God? Then, this book is worth while to read more.