Ebook
Beginning with a clear account of the historical setting for The Abolition of Man and its place within C.S. Lewis' corpus of writing, Contemporary Perspectives on C. S. Lewis' The Abolition of Man: History, Philosophy, Education and Science assesses and appraises Lewis' seminal lectures, providing a thorough analysis of the themes and subjects that are raised.
Chapters focus on the major areas of thought including: philosophy, natural law, education, literature, politics, theology, science, biotechnology and the connection between the Ransom Trilogy. Drawing on Lewis' central ideas, they tackle questions such as, is The Abolition of Man hostile to scientific inquiry? Does Lewis provide an adequate rational defense of natural moral law? Do the lectures address the philosophical questions of the 21st century as Lewis sought to provide answers to philosophical questions of the 20th century?
Dealing with themes across multiple areas of human inquiry, the authors bring expertise from their respective fields to bear on the core issues raised in Lewis' lectures. The result is an interdisciplinary approach that offers the first comprehensive scholarly treatment of The Abolition of Man, one of the most debated of Lewis' works.
A critical analysis of the central arguments and themes in The Abolition of Man from across the disciplines.
The first comprehensive scholarly treatment of Lewis' The Abolition of Man, tackling the major themes and ideas
Explores the historical, philosophical, and cultural setting of The Abolition of Man.
Contributors from a range of disciplines covers themes across multiple areas of human inquiry, from science to education to theology to ethics
Introduction
1. Philosophy in The Abolition of Man
Adam Pelser (United States Air Force Academy)
2. Natural Moral Law in The Abolition of Man
Micah Watson (Calvin College)
3. Education in The Abolition of Man
Mark Pike (University of Leeds)
4. Literature in The Abolition of Man
Charlie W. Starr (Independent Scholar)
5. Is The Abolition of Man Conservative?
Francis J. Beckwith (Baylor University)
6. Theology, Faith and Reason in The Abolition of Man
Judith Wolfe (St. Andrews University)
7. Science in The Abolition of Man
David Ussery (University of Tennessee Knoxville)
8. Biotechnology in The Abolition of Man
James Herrick (Hope College)
9. That Hideous Strength and The Abolition of Man
Scott Key (California Baptist University)
Index
A welcome addition to the scholarly literature on Lewis's influential defence of objective value. The perspectives are penetrating, illuminating, weighty without being ponderous. A collection that immediately establishes itself as the 'go to' book for anyone wanting to understand Lewis the philosopher at his most succinct, challenging, and telling.
An impressive collection: required reading for anyone interested in exploring the background, central arguments, and enduring lessons of C. S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man.
Gayne John Anacker is Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Philosophy at California Baptist University, USA and Vice President for Academic Affairs of the C.S. Lewis Foundation, Redlands, CA.
Timothy M. Mosteller is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at California Baptist University, USA.