Book I: Right and Wrong as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe
I. The Law of Nature
C. S. Lewis makes note of a tendency in humans of appealing to a standard of absolute truth in quarrels and arguments. He calls this standard the Law of Nature or the Moral Law.
- Looking back, have you ever used an appeal to absolute truth in your discussions with others?
- Lewis also says that no human appears to be able to keep the Law of Nature at all times but if someone feels that they have, they are an exception and should not read the rest of the book. Do you think you are an exception?
II. Some Objections
Lewis sites two objections to his theory of natural law which have come to him through letters from readers.
- The law is from instinct. Why does Lewis think that the moral law is not just a result of human instinct?
- Social convention. Lewis dismisses the idea that moral law is a matter of how we are brought up or educated because...?
III. The Reality of the Law
Lewis concludes that the moral law (or natural law) is alive and active in human lives.
- According to Lewis, the statement, "Men ought to behave decently in order to benefit society", is a redundant statement. Why?
- Do you think the Law of Nature as described by Lewis is real and not made by man?
- How is the law pressing on us?
IV. What Lies Behind the Law
- According to Lewis, Science cannot be used to discover the mind behind the creation of the universe, why not?
- What is the one thing that is unique about man that is different than anything else a scientist can study?
V. We Have Cause to be Uneasy
Lewis gives three reasons to consider religion as a means to satisfy the guilt imposed by the moral law.
- Lewis suggests that one reason to reconsider religion is that humanity is on the wrong road. Do you think humanity is still on the wrong road?
- Lewis states that if God is like the moral law, he is not soft or sentimental. Why is this shocking? What else points to the existence of God apart from the moral law?
According to Lewis, Christianity will not make sense to anyone until they realize...?