BIB/PHI 223 PHILOSOPHY OF LIVING C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

The Three Parts of Morality Morality is directions for running the “human machine.” Every moral failure is going to cause trouble. Two ways: -Doing damage to one another. -Something going wrong on the inside.

The Three Parts of Morality 1.Fair play and harmony between individuals. 2.Harmonizing things inside each individual. 3.The purpose, direction or goal of life.

Ch. 2 – The Cardinal Virtues Cardinal virtues: virtues all people recognize. 1.Prudence. 2.Temperance. 3.Justice. 4.Fortitude.

Ch. 3 – Social Morality Christian social morality is not something entirely new. Christian morality does not tell you how to live out the virtues in each and every circumstance of life. -It’s up to us to apply the principles to our life situations.

Ch. 3 – Social Morality -Charity—giving to the poor—is an essential part of Christian morality. -How much?

4 – Morality & Psychoanalysis Lewis compares Christianity with psychoanalysis. He distinguishes between the techniques of psychoanalysis, and the philosophy of Freud. – The philosophy of Freud is contrary to Christianity. – The techniques are not.

4 – Morality & Psychoanalysis We judge one another by external actions. God judges us by our moral choices. We only see the results. God sees what we do with what we have.

4 – Morality & Psychoanalysis People often see morality as a bargain with God. ̶“If you keep the rules, I’ll reward you. If you break the rules, I’ll punish you.” Instead, Lewis suggest we should see how each choice shapes who we are. Over time, these choices make us who we are— either closer to God, or further away.

5 – Sexual Morality Chastity: Either marriage with complete faithfulness to your partner, or abstinence. Lewis compares our sexual appetite with our appetite for food. They can be healthy, or they can be unhealthy. -Society tries to normalize sexual indulgence. -Some people think chastity is impossible. -Some people confuse “repressed” sexual feelings with “resisted” sexual feelings.

6 – Christian Marriage Marriage is a union of two people in many different ways. Sex outside of marriage is isolating one kind of union from the others. Lewis emphasizes the promise (the commitment) over the love (the feeling) True love is maintained by the will, and strengthened by habit. You can love someone even when you don’t like him/her.

7 – Forgiveness Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea… until they have something to forgive.

7 – Forgiveness Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea… until they have something to forgive. Loving your enemy does NOT mean – Warm feelings about the person. – Thinking they are nice when they are not. – The person avoids punishment. Loving your enemy DOES mean – Wishing good for the other person

8 – The Great Sin PRIDE Pride is competitive by its very nature. Pride not only means enmity between people, but between us and God. – Those who are proud cannot know God.

8 – The Great Sin PRIDE Pleasure in being praised is not pride. Being proud of your family, or your school, is not wrong. Pride is not about offending God’s pride. The truly humble person does not go around talking about how bad he or she is. The first step to humility is to recognize you are proud.

9 – Charity Not just giving to the poor. Not an emotion. It’s an act of the will. Feelings come and go, but charity (love) does not.

10 – Hope Those who have done the most for this present world were those who thought most of the next. There are many things in this world which promise to satisfy us—but none of them ever deliver on the promise. – The Fool blames the thing itself, and looks for something new to satisfy. – The Disillusioned “Sensible” person lowers his/her expectations. – The Christian recognizes the things of this world were not meant to bring ultimate satisfaction.

11 – Faith Faith as Belief. The human mind isn’t always ruled by reason. You must train the habit of faith. – Recognize that moods change. – Spend time daily meditation on Christian faith. – Make a serious attempt to practice the Christian virtues.

12 – Faith Faith as Trust. When we try to practice the Christian faith, we discover we are bankrupt. We must put our faith in Christ. Doesn’t mean we give up. Doing things not to be saved, but because he has begun to save you already.