Calvin University Professor Micah Watson discusses C.S. Lewis's views on law, politics, and government. Topics include Lewis's defense of natural law, his perspectives on government solutions to poverty, and his endorsement of limited government theory. Also, explores Lewis's upbringing, personal experiences with war, and his belief in objective morality. Other topics include Lewis's thoughts on dignity, capital punishment, and his accurate predictions about modernity trends. The podcast also delves into Lewis's life, work, views on democracy, equality, and his approach to writing. It concludes with a discussion on theocracy, social media criticism, standing up to bullies, and resisting societal pressures.
C.S. Lewis had a personal and biographical interest in politics and law, which influenced his engagement with political issues.
Lewis believed in the importance of justice in the criminal justice system and the need for punishment based on moral desert.
Lewis recognized the tension between libertarianism and the welfare state, advocating for social coordination while cautioning against abuses of power in government.
Deep dives
C.S. Lewis' Personal and Political Interests
C.S. Lewis, known as Jack Lewis, had a personal and biographical interest in politics and law, contrary to the belief that he disdained and ignored politics. Growing up in Northern Ireland, he was surrounded by talk of law and politics, and his father, who was a lawyer, brought these discussions home. Lewis served in World War I and witnessed the devastating effects of political decisions firsthand. He also wrote a short essay endorsing limited government theory in response to an event that spurred him to do so. This personal and biographical background contributed to Lewis' engagement with political issues.
Lewis' Concern for Criminal Justice
Lewis cared deeply about the criminal justice system and the impact of law on human flourishing and freedom. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the lenient treatment of criminals and emphasized the need for punishment based on moral desert. Lewis argued that punishment is a recognition of a wrongdoer's dignity and responsibility and serves as a means for possible restoration. He criticized the focus on deterrence and rehabilitation, emphasizing that these should be secondary purposes. Lewis' concern for justice in the criminal justice system reveals his commitment to the principles of law and fairness.
Lewis' Reflections on Government and Natural Law
Lewis grappled with the purpose of government on a macro level, particularly in relation to the welfare state. He recognized the tension between his instinctive sympathy for libertarianism and a growing awareness of the plight of the less fortunate. Lewis acknowledged the need for collective activities and social coordination to address social problems. However, he cautioned against the abuses of power and the temptation to accumulate and concentrate power in an increasingly technocratic government. Lewis defended the reality of natural law, arguing that it forms the moral foundation of human legal systems. He believed that human beings have an inherent understanding of right and wrong, and abandoning natural law would lead to dire consequences. Lewis viewed liberty as a directional concept heading towards a greater understanding of moral truth and human flourishing.
Lewis's defense of objective morality
Lewis argues against the idea that morality is merely a social construct. He asserts that morality has an objective basis and aims to persuade his audience that they already believe in objective morality. He challenges the alternatives to objective morality and critiques the notion that morality is a subjective creation serving the interests of its creators.
Lewis's perspective on natural law and first principles
Lewis emphasizes the importance of natural law and argues that the primary moral principles are rationally perceived. He believes that these principles are self-evident and that all other moral judgments depend on them. Instead of proving the validity of natural law, Lewis appeals to our capacity to reason and illustrates the consequences of rejecting fundamental moral principles.
Calvin University Professor Micah Watson discussed C.S. Lewis's views on law, politics and government and how they connected to the author's Christian beliefs. This lecture took place at the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty in Grand Rapids, Michigan.