The Symbolic World 310 - Annie Crawford - C.S. Lewis on Progress, AI, and Gender
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Oct 9, 2023 Annie Crawford discusses C.S. Lewis' perspective on progress, AI, and gender, the concept of a third gender in fiction, Lewis' portrayal of heaven in 'The Great Divorce', the trilogy's model after the Divine Comedy, the nature of matter and form, skepticism towards scientific explanations of spiritual concepts, and Lewis' belief in reuniting objective and subjective ways of knowing.
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Progress as a Tower of Babel
- C.S. Lewis's "vague notion of progress" in That Hideous Strength mirrors current societal trends.
- People claim to be "progressive" without a clear understanding of their goals, reminiscent of the Tower of Babel motif.
The Disembodied Head and AI
- The "disembodied head" in That Hideous Strength foreshadows modern AI and transhumanist ideas.
- C.S. Lewis's depiction of this entity's worship mirrors current discussions about creating a technological "God."
Gender Precedes Sex
- C.S. Lewis viewed gender as more fundamental than sex, predating physical embodiment.
- This contrasts with modern views, even among conservatives, that often conflate the two.