Wisdom vs science, the slippery slope to hell, and more

Introduction. C.S. Lewis was a theologian who wrote one of the best-selling book series of all time: The Chronicles Of Narnia. In this Memo, discover some of his bold and original ideas👇

A new cognitive fallacy: Bulverism. Bulverism is when a person's arguments or beliefs are discounted merely because he's a certain type of person. Instead of analyzing the argument logically, bulverists start with a psychological deconstruction of the other person's motives.

The slippery slope of hell. C.S. Lewis says: "The safest road to Hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." One thing leads to the other, but the fall happens so slowly the decline is barely felt.

On deciding what to do. C.S. Lewis says: "A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered." Before doing anything, put the potential action to the memory test: Will this be memorable? And memorable how? Will you remember it with pride, guilt - or an embarrassed smile?

People's behaviors are tied with their culture's highest ideals. We cannot lose the ideals without losing the behavior too. C.S. Lewis says: " We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst."

Wisdom vs Science. Wisdom tries to "conform the soul to reality" through the means of "knowledge, self-discipline, and virtue." Science goes in the reverse direction - it puts human wants above everything, and tries to bend reality itself to make the two meet.

In 1943, C.S. Lewis wrote "nearly all men in all nations" are putting their sweat, blood, and tears toward creating "the world of post-humanity." Today, in the age of autonomous manufacturing, robots that do home deliveries, and the Metaverse, this observation feels prescient.

C.S. Lewis says that we should consider everyone we meet a potential God or Goddess. People can attain such greatness that they elicit worship or undergo such "corruption" that they feel like a figure from a nightmare. Each life is hung between such "overwhelming possibilities."

Balance innocence with maturity: "It is the stupidest children who are most childish and the stupidest grown-ups who are most grown-up." We must all grow out of childhood, but we needn't grow out of our sense of wonder, excitement, or joy.

Progress as going back? C.S. Lewis writes that if one is on the wrong road, then the most progressive thing is "doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road." Forward motion isn't always progress.

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