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Abolish Quote by C.S. Lewis

“The process which, if not checked, will abolish Man goes on apace among Communists and Democrats no less than among Fascists. The methods may (at first) differ in brutality. But many a mild-eyed scientist in pince-nez, many a popular dramatist, many an amateur philosopher in our midst, means in…” quote by C.S. Lewis
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““The process which, if not checked, will abolish Man goes on apace among Communists and Democrats no less than among Fascists. The methods may (at first) differ in brutality. But many a mild-eyed scientist in pince-nez, many a popular dramatist, many an amateur philosopher in our midst, means in the long run just the same as the Nazi rulers of Germany. Traditional values are to be ‘debunked’ and mankind to be cut out into some fresh shape at the will (which must, by hypothesis, be an arbitrary will) of some few lucky people in one lucky generation which has learned how to do it. The belief that we can invent ‘ideologies’ at pleasure, and the consequent treatment of mankind as mere ulh, specimens, preparations, begins to affect our very language. Once we killed bad men: now we liquidate unsocial elements. Virtue has become integration and diligence dynamism, and boys likely to be worthy of a commission are ‘potential officer material’. Most wonderful of all, the virtues of thrift and temperance, and even of ordinary intelligence, are sales-resistance.””

C.S. Lewis

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis, 1943

Unchecked ideological engineering threatens humanity by reshaping values and language, mirroring totalitarian control.

In simple terms: Ideas can destroy humanity if left unchecked.

Key Takeaway

Guard critical thinking and human dignity.

Themes

philosophy politics ethics humanism

Mood

cautious critical reflective

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • education reform
  • policy making
  • public discourse
  • media literacy

Key Concepts

totalitarianism ideology language manipulation social engineering

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we recognize subtle ideological control?
  • What safeguards protect human values?
A Different Perspective

It may underestimate individuals' capacity for resistance.

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