What Lies Behind the Moral Law by C.S. Lewis Doodle (BBC Talk 3, Mere Christianity Chapter 4)

Summary

In this excerpt from C.S. Lewis's *Mere Christianity*, the author explores the nature of moral law and its implications for understanding the universe. He contrasts the materialist view, which sees the universe as a product of chance, with the religious view, which posits a purposeful creator. Lewis argues that the moral law within us points to the existence of a higher power that transcends mere physical laws. He also critiques the concept of 'life force' philosophy, which offers a softer alternative to religious belief but fails to account for the mind or purpose behind the universe.

Takeaways

• 😀 Material laws (like gravity) are observed in nature, but human moral laws are something beyond mere observation, representing something we must obey.
• 😀 The law of human nature, or right and wrong, cannot be explained simply by human behavior—there is a real law that exists independently of us.
• 😀 There are two main views about the universe: materialism (everything is a result of chance and matter) and the religious view (the universe is created by a purposeful mind).
• 😀 Materialism posits that the universe, life, and creatures like humans exist by chance, with no underlying purpose or mind behind them.
• 😀 The religious view suggests that the universe is directed by a conscious, purposeful mind, possibly leading to the creation of beings like us who have minds of their own.
• 😀 Science, as we know it, deals only with observable facts and cannot address questions like why the universe exists or if there is a deeper purpose behind it.
• 😀 Although science cannot answer metaphysical questions, the fact that humans have a moral law indicates the existence of something beyond mere physical laws.
• 😀 The universe could not show itself as a fact within the universe, just as the architect of a house is not a part of the house itself, but is essential in its creation.
• 😀 The moral law humans experience points to an external influence or a guiding power behind the universe, which urges us to behave in a certain way.
• 😀 The life force philosophy, or creative evolution, posits that life evolved through purposive striving, but this view either reduces to the religious view (if a mind is behind it) or lacks clarity (if it doesn't).

Q & A

What does C.S. Lewis mean by 'moral law' in the context of human nature?

C.S. Lewis explains that the moral law is a universal sense of right and wrong that humans experience. It is not simply a description of human behavior but a real law that individuals feel compelled to obey, even if they fail to follow it. This moral law exists beyond the facts of human behavior and suggests that there is a higher power or law governing human actions.

How does Lewis contrast the laws of nature with the moral law?

Lewis compares the laws of nature, such as gravity, to the moral law by noting that the former describe how things behave, but the moral law dictates how humans ought to behave. The laws of nature are impersonal and merely describe observed facts, while the moral law involves a sense of obligation and accountability to a higher standard.

What are the two views on the universe presented in the script?

The two views on the universe are the materialist view and the religious view. The materialist view holds that the universe and life are the result of random chance, with no underlying purpose or intelligence behind it. The religious view suggests that the universe was created by a conscious, purposeful mind with intentions, and that this mind may have created humans to reflect some of its own attributes, such as having a mind and moral sense.

Why does Lewis argue that science cannot answer the question of why the universe exists?

Lewis argues that science is limited to observing and explaining how things happen, not why they happen. Science can study the behavior of physical phenomena through experiments and observation, but it cannot address the existential question of why the universe exists or whether there is a higher power behind it. This question falls outside the scope of scientific inquiry.

What is the significance of the moral law in understanding the nature of the universe?

The moral law is significant because it provides insight into the nature of the universe. Lewis suggests that the presence of a moral law within humans points to a higher power that has set this law in motion. This law is not a mere social construct or arbitrary rule but something deeply ingrained in human nature, indicating that the universe may be guided by a conscious mind with a purpose.

What does Lewis mean by the idea that the moral law 'shows itself' in us?

Lewis explains that the moral law reveals itself through our internal sense of right and wrong. Unlike physical laws, which can be observed externally, the moral law is experienced inwardly as a guiding force that compels us to act in accordance with moral principles. This internal experience suggests that there is a mind or power behind the moral law.

How does Lewis address the idea of a 'life force' or 'Creative Evolution' as an alternative to a personal God?

Lewis critiques the idea of a 'life force' or 'Creative Evolution,' which some use as a middle ground between materialism and religious belief. He argues that if this life force has a mind or purpose, it essentially becomes a God, making the view indistinguishable from religious belief. However, if it is not a mind and is simply a blind force, it lacks moral guidance, which makes the concept problematic and ultimately unconvincing.

What does Lewis mean by the concept of 'wishful thinking' in relation to the life force?

Lewis suggests that the appeal of the life force idea lies in its emotional comfort—it offers many of the benefits of believing in a higher power without the moral responsibility that comes with religious belief. It allows individuals to feel part of a grand, purposeful universe without the constraints of a moral law or a controlling God, which Lewis sees as 'wishful thinking' or a form of escapism.

What is the difference between studying human behavior and studying the behavior of stones or trees?

When studying human behavior, we can access an internal understanding of what people ought to do (the moral law), whereas with stones or trees, we can only observe external behavior, such as the laws of nature (gravity, chemical reactions, etc.). The moral law is unique to humans, as it involves a sense of obligation and responsibility, which cannot be observed in non-living matter.

Why does Lewis say that the only way we can know if there is a controlling power behind the universe is through the moral law?

Lewis argues that the moral law is the only evidence we have for the existence of a controlling power behind the universe because it is something we experience from within, rather than something we can observe externally. Since the moral law urges us to act according to a higher standard and makes us feel responsible when we do wrong, it points to the existence of a higher power that instills this law within us.