by C. S. Lewis
web assingment
A. Man is subject to several laws at all times.
1. Some he can disobey.
a. gravity
b. biological laws
2. One he can disobey
a. Law of Human Nature
B. There is some overriding moral system.
1. Ideas of fairness
2. Admired virtues
C. We all feel this law.
1. make up excuses to avoid having to think about broken it
D. We all feel this law, yet we don't alwys obey it.
II. Some Objections
A. Moral law uses our instincts to get us to do what is right.
B. Moral law is the judge between to instincts so we will do what is right.
C. Moral law chooses what instinct is best for a said situation.
D. This law is naturally part of us, although society reinforces it.
E. When a morality is "better", it is closer to Moral law.
III. The Reality of the Law
A. "The law of Human Nature tells you what human beings ought to do and not do."
B. Humans seek a society in which all can be safe because every one "plays fair."
IV. What Lies Behind the Laws
A.There are two versions of the universe, one made at random, and one that had an designer and has underlying laws.
B.We can only descibe the universe through the lot we've been given, as humans.
I find that C. S. Lewis's idea of the Law of
Human Nature affects me dailty. In most moral
choices, I feel as if there is a standard or law I am
trying to live up to. When a problem arises, I tend to step back for a second, and I listen to the
arguements my mind provides. Different instincts and voices raise different sides of the issue. One or two bring up benefits and consequences that certain actions will bring. There probably at one point existed a sadistic voice, but it was squelched a long time ago. There is one that wants to put everything off until later. Unfortunately, I indulge that voice to often. Then there exists a voice that merely say what is right. It doesn't force itself to be heard, yet it comes through clearly. It's this voice that states the Moral Law and leaves it at that.
This voice also tells me something more exists.
It hints that something wants me to be good because being good pleases it. It fills my heart with hope when the world seems like a cold and dangerous place. The voice makes me feel content when I have done well and have succeded in my endevours. This feeling doesn't chastise me when I go against it, but rather it waits for me to realize what I did wrong and return to being good. Everytime I do good acts, it grows and becomes more defined. What started off as a spark, now feels like a bonfire, giving me warmth and light. What this voice is I'm not sure. It could be my conscience, but I don't think so because my conscience nags and prods. Or it could be and essence of something higher.
C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity presents an argument that messes logically and fuels the voice to a greater prominence. I find his argument sound and nigh impossible to refute.