Mere Liberty and the Evils of Statism (3)

Na continuação de:
— Mere Liberty and the Evils of Statism
— Mere Liberty and the Evils of Statism (2),

C. S. Lewis on Mere Liberty and the Evils of Statism, Part 3 por David J. Theroux:

For Lewis, science should be a quest for knowledge, and his concern was that in the modern era science is too often used instead as a quest by some for power over others. .... Lewis shows that "what is" does not indicate "what ought" to be. Scientists on their own are not able to address moral ethics, and all social and political questions are exclusively questions of morality. Lewis furthermore viewed as nonscience, or scientism, all those disciplines that attempt to replicate the scientific method to analyze man.

As the form of government most consistent with his study of natural law and the nature of man, Lewis settled on democracy (not majoritarianism, but self-government as in Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America)

.... he similarly noted the need to radically constrain the powers of government, quoting Lord Acton's axiom on the corrupting influence of power .... Lewis fully understood that democracy, if unchecked, becomes egalitarianism and will trample on liberty as a collectivist force for evil by celebrating pride and envy as it fosters tyranny.

Above all, Lewis was a keen observer of the world he lived in, consistently recognizing the implications of every development in the galloping socialism of post-World War II England ....

In direct contrast to the moral relativism, utilitarianism, collectivism, and authoritarianism of the "progressives," the profound lessons from Lewis's extensive writings pertaining to liberty are absolutely clear and of the upmost importance to every modern man and woman.