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The Abolition of Man Paperback – Deckle Edge, April 7, 2015

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,006 ratings

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In many ways C. S. Lewis predicted the future. “He foresaw the rise of trends we’re currently experiencing: ethical emotivism, the sometimes unquestioned authority of science, and the increasing use of technology by states to control their populations.” –The Gospel Coalition, Joseph A. Kohm Jr.

The Abolition of Man discusses why we shouldn’t always listen to only reason and cut out our emotions. Lewis argues that reason without emotion there is not a reality. He debunks arguments that the purist form of reason is instinct, that benevolent actions will be found through pursuing science, and that science will be the best moral compass for mankind to follow. Lewis proves that moral absolutes do exist and they are universal throughout all of time.

This is a book for C. S. Lewis fans and anyone who wants to better understand traditional moral virtues and how they impact your life. Lewis said, “If nothing is self-evident then nothing can be proved.” There must be self-evident truths that can be applied everywhere. The book brings together a series of lectures on education that Lewis delivered over three nights at the University of Durham. 

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The Screwtape Letters
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Mere Christianity
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The Four Loves
9780060652968 image
The Problem of Pain
9780060652388 image
A Grief Observed
9780060653019 image
Miracles
Customer Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars 17,443
4.8 out of 5 stars 22,212
4.7 out of 5 stars 1,767
4.6 out of 5 stars 3,538
4.6 out of 5 stars 6,465
4.6 out of 5 stars 892
Price $8.96 $10.29 $10.29 $9.99 $10.29 $10.09
Wildly comic, deadly serious, and strikingly original, The Screwtape Letters is a masterpeice of religious satire that gives an account of the underworld's foibles in our daily lives through art of temptation. Bringing together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War Two, Mere Christianity provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear this powerful apologetic for the Christian faith. C.S. Lewis examines four types of human love-- affection, friendship, Eros, and charity-- encouraging readers to open themselves to all forms of love, which is the key to understanding that brings us closer to God. A deep dive into the question: "If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain?” Approached with compassion and wisdom, Lewis; insight offers help to a world hungering for a true understanding of human nature. One of Lewis' most intimate works, A Grief Observed details his journey with grief after his wife’s tragic death, offering an honest reflection on the fundamental issues of life, death, and faith in the midst of loss. Challenging the rationalists and cynics, Miracles provides a poetic and joyous affirmation that miracles are a testimony of the personal involvement of God and really do occur in everyday lives.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A Real Triumph." -- Owen Barfield

From the Back Cover

In The Abolition of Man, C. S. Lewis sets out to persuade his audience of the importance and relevance of universal values such as courage and honor in contemporary society. Both astonishing and prophetic, this book is one of the most debated of Lewis's extraordinary works. National Review chose it as number seven on their "100 Best Nonfiction Books of the Twentieth Century."

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0060652942
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperOne; 31705th edition (April 7, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780060652944
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060652944
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.29 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,006 ratings

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C.S. Lewis
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CLIVE STAPLES LEWIS (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a fellow and tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954 when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics, the Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
3,006 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and well-written. They describe it as an enjoyable, easy read with good philosophical ideas. However, some readers report issues with spelling and punctuation errors. There are mixed opinions on the pacing - some find it brilliant and packed with brilliance, while others find it confusing or convoluted at first.

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147 customers mention "Thought provoking"109 positive38 negative

Customers find the book insightful and to the point. They appreciate being pushed to think and say it's good to be challenged. The author is skilled at making his points and showing the flaws in other view points. They consider it one of the most important writings of the 20th century, providing the paradigm for man's existential existence.

"This was just really enjoyable to read. Quick, certainly, but, oh, such excellent writing! And even clearer philosophy...." Read more

"...His insights convey as truths rather than narrow parochial religious talking points...." Read more

"...This book though is a short and to-the-point kind of treatise...." Read more

"...But again it's that difficult means of writing that makes me wonder if there is some aspect of him being partially a charlatan or simply not..." Read more

121 customers mention "Readability"109 positive12 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They describe it as a classic work on its subject, well worth the cover price, and an important read.

"...Good read." Read more

"...work speaks for itself through time, and is definitely worth the read for any seeker of truth, Christian or not...." Read more

"...to comprehend, but it makes a few succinct points that make it worth reading...." Read more

"A fantastic book. You will read and want to re-read again to marinate in the arguments, truth-telling, and prescience of C.S. Lewis." Read more

67 customers mention "Philosophical content"67 positive0 negative

Customers find the philosophical content in the book insightful and relevant today. They say it covers important topics like how to stand alone and study during times of war. Readers describe the book as a classic essay on the need for values and a sharp analysis of today's situation.

"...And this morality is the guiding principle, or can be, or should be, for us all. It is inherent in our . . . very nature." Read more

"Classic insights from arguably the most influential Christian apologist of our time...." Read more

"...First and foremost--the content of this little volume is profound and important. Don't let the following comments deter you from reading this book...." Read more

"Everyone should read this book. Lewis nails the bedrock of the Natural Law, the true cornerstone of what the Natural Law has built...." Read more

34 customers mention "Pacing"22 positive12 negative

Customers have different views on the book's pacing. Some find it engaging and packed with brilliance, while others find it confusing and hard to understand at first. The book requires deep thinking and is not light reading for some readers.

"This is a different book than C.S. Lewis' others. First of all, it is academic, sprinkled with Latin phrases and footnotes...." Read more

"...not provable and 2)..." Read more

"...upon layers of preparation that in themselves hold jewels of thought and imagination...." Read more

"...our "scientific" mindset was headed 80 years ago is both sobering and stunning." Read more

15 customers mention "Spelling"0 positive15 negative

Customers find the spelling in the book poor. They report missing punctuation, capitalization, spaces between words, and random letters being capitalized. Many sentences start without capital letters and some words are left without spaces. There are typos, missing text, and omissions of commas and highlighting.

"...them into Google to find out where sentences end, where commas or highlighting are omitted and where there are other strange goofs...." Read more

"...edition is horribly edited, with frequent typos and even large sections of missing text...." Read more

"...It has dozens of errors of omission of the spaces between words, sometimes several examples per page. It makes it hard to read...." Read more

"...the kindle edition is horribly edited. Beginning sentences are not properly capitalized, no idea when a paragraph ended and a new began and the..." Read more

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5 out of 5 stars
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You will the annotate the hell out of this book, in a good way. Every word and reference is purposeful and if you really want the most out of this book, be patient with the opening argument Lewis’ makes in the first few pages. Take your time and it will be worth it because what he has to say at the micro level really matters at the macro, and everything about what we struggle with today as a culture will bring a lot more understanding
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2025
    My mind is blown. I read this because someone recommended reading it before reading that hideous strength, and I already am questioning what THS is about. Good read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2004
    This was just really enjoyable to read. Quick, certainly, but, oh, such excellent writing! And even clearer philosophy. I feel I must approach the Master with great humility, for his style and thoughts are so much clearer than my own. What right have I to critique him?

    I'll do it anyway.

    This would be an excellent introductory book to a class on religions. Lewis displays a convincing argument for the existence of morality, using resources from many different traditions, not just his own Christian one. He is to be commended however for also stating his own tradition, that we might know his biases. (The only flaw is a lack of Islamic sources, perhaps because Lewis tended to know less about that particular religion than others.) It is hard to walk away from the book still convinced that there are no ethics, or that an aethitical system is possible.

    Those who have read other Lewis works will see echoes here, such as the essay On First Things from God in the Dock, That Hideous Strength, and the Magician's Nephew. Lewis uses his knowledge of literature to show us that morality is necessary if we are to speak realistically at all; that an amoral system of ethics is by nature moral; and that one absent of any morality at all is reduced simply to animal instincts. In this last unit, he preaches of the fear that science will reduce humanity into mere object, rather than into a glorious creation. In no way is this anti-scientific diatribe- but rather cautionary tale of the dangers of excess, if we continue in our current vein of thought.

    A couple flaws bring the book down. Early on, he takes a swipe at pacifism by implying that there is something wrong with those who argue that men are more righteous if they value peace over war. Happily, this is only momentary. And secondly, he consistently uses the word "man". Lewis is a product of his times, yes, but he also strongly argued against inclusive language or women in the pulpit, and his language reflects this. And so the book's title. As well as the use of the term "redskin" when referring to ancient Native American beliefs at the end of the book.

    Lewis is at his best when demolishing arguments, using the arguments of his opponents. He does this with tact and compassion, not even mentioning the opponents by name, and constantly complimenting on what they have said- but not being afraid to point out the great tragedy that would result if students of a particular "Little Green Book" were to take the authors seriously. If followed, we would lose something deep within us, the capacity to have passion, and enjoy life, out of which morality springs. For following the guidelines of the Little Green Book, we would no longer be able to say something was good in and of itself, but only that it felt good, as everything is now subjective.

    But there is an alternative, the Tao, the Way, which we find in all cultures everywhere, and in all religious traditions. The morality, as Lewis has said many times before in many other places, is basically the same in all religious systems; there is only the smallest of differences between them. And this morality is the guiding principle, or can be, or should be, for us all. It is inherent in our . . . very nature.
    22 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2024
    Classic insights from arguably the most influential Christian apologist of our time. His insights convey as truths rather than narrow parochial religious talking points. Lewis' body of work speaks for itself through time, and is definitely worth the read for any seeker of truth, Christian or not. If you are curious about what Lewis might be all about, this might be a good place to start. The book is short.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2022
    I'm not the biggest C.S. Lewis fan in the world by far, but I loved his religious/theological books for a long time. (The Great Divorce is still insightful for me to think back on.) This book though is a short and to-the-point kind of treatise. It basically aims to show how and why moral relativism is (potentially) leading our societies down the wrong path. Lewis takes aim at a textbook for young boys, that conveys moral relativism and a flat affect. For someone like him, who saw his people fight the Germans not once but twice, and the second time almost lost, and lose liberty in the process, any sort of relativism was disgusting.
    It should be said that this book when compared to other Lewis classics is small. For that matter, it is mostly composed of quotes taken from the likes of the Roman Seneca and the Chinese Confucius, among others. If you are a guy or gal that likes a good quote, and you believe that moral relativism is a problem that really impacts your life, I'd say give this book a shot. If you really want theology or for your imagination to be taken for a wild ride, then please read The Great Divorce, Mere Christianity, or Miracles. Those made me think.
    26 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2020
    The Good:
    First and foremost--the content of this little volume is profound and important. Don't let the following comments deter you from reading this book. Just be forewarned that this particular edition/format has some problems that made me find another source.
    Second--the Kindle format is a bonus. It makes it easy to quickly find those passages that need to be reviewed and reflected upon. It makes it simple to jot your own thoughts about the questions raised. It makes it a cinch to share.
    The Bad:
    Nevertheless, the formatting in the Kindle edition that I bought for three bucks has so many problems that I'm going to try and return it for a refund since there is a pdf available of the text. It is not so messed up that I can't read it, but it is messed up enough that I have to copy certain sections and paste them into Google to find out where sentences end, where commas or highlighting are omitted and where there are other strange goofs. Capitalization, for instance, is almost arbitrary: "The most determined effort which i know" or "dr i. A. Richards". The list includes chunks of misplaced text, and so on.
    The Final Analysis:
    In any format this book requires a slow read, so maybe it is just as well that the formatting is so messed up in this particular edition. It has made me read it even more slowly. Still, there is room for improvement, even for three bucks.
    Read it in this format or in some other format, but definitely give it a read and give it serious thought.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • keewee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Canada on December 16, 2024
    Such a great thinker of his time. Recommended book
  • tio gegeca
    3.0 out of 5 stars good price, but full of errors
    Reviewed in Brazil on July 4, 2024
    I liked the price, but the eBook is full of graphic and orthographic mistakes, that could easily be corrected if the publisher cared a little more for its work.
  • Sebastian Wolf,
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, speaks into todays problems
    Reviewed in Germany on January 28, 2025
    It describes the problems we face today. The things Lewis saw 50 years ago before more and more present in the mind of people. This book shows the problem with that. Should be ready by more people
  • J. Skywalker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 11, 2020
    Great book. Should be a must read for young adults and college students. Perfect fit for actual times during the pandemic.
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Drift away from God’s role for man
    Reviewed in Australia on June 30, 2021
    I can totally resonate with Lewis’ views on how the ‘modern era’ is eroding the Biblical view on the role of men. He also gives some insights on where this trend might lead, and how ultimately it may have a catastrophic impact on the cohesion and structure of modern society.
    The author has captured the deep insightful thoughts on how C S Lewis has prophesied the demise of Biblical man!