I recently read The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis (CSL from here on). This book was published in England in 1943. It can be a tough little three-chapter book to understand, but if you have a philosophy background it will be easier.

In my opinion, this is a philosophical argument by C. S. Lewis (CSL from here on) in favor of teaching man how to live a life with good moral behavior. I think this book is an argument for teaching traditional morality, and a prophecy about how humanity could end up if we do not instill the knowledge of moral behavior in each child. Further, CSL specifies that the moral behavior he espouses is based on traditional morality (which he generically calls “Tao”).

Ch. 1 Men Without Chests
In the first chapter he shows us what started his thinking (the little green book), why it started his thinking (the authors’ “simple” statement), and what problem he saw in the authors' "instructions." The “little green book” that is referenced by CSL in the first chapter of this book was published as a school text on how to write. However, CSL identifies it, not as a writing textbook, but as a book of philosophy. He points out that the authors are teaching children that to say that the waterfall is "sublime" is really saying that the speaker is speaking of his emotion, not of the value of the waterfall (cascade). Further, the authors of the “little green book” are conditioning the children to discount any subjective statement that involves a value statement because it IS subjective emotion, therefore has no value. Lewis states that the head (of man) is where knowledge is held, and that the gut is where visceral urges are held. The chest is where we put the instruction for how man is supposed to behave appropriately (morally) on visceral urges. If one takes the chest away, we end up with adults (men) who don't know how to act morally upon their urges.

Ch. 2 The Way
In the second chapter, Lewis explains traditional morality; The Way, which he gives the generic title, "Tao." He shows how major cultures have traditional morals that instruct people what it is to behave rightly or wrongly on emotions. He also explains that anyone who tries to work outside the "Tao" is really like a branch on a tree rebelling against the tree. Any argument they make is still based on bits and pieces of the Tao, but they don't see that.

Ch. 3 The Abolition of Man
In the third chapter, CSL goes on to explain that the long-term effect on students will not be noticed by the students, but will turn the students into adults who will not know how to behave properly (men without chests, chapter 1). Taken to its ultimate, logical extreme, the seemingly innocuous philosophical statement made by the authors of “the little green book” at the beginning of their book will end up in the abolition of man.

My Conclusion: Look at the world around us. I’d say that CSL’s prophecy is our reality. What do you think?

A lot has happened since my last post.

I'm sure you can tell that my website has NOT changed. That's because I learned that the package I thought I was getting was not what I would actually get. My misunderstanding. At this point, I just need to learn how to use the "storefront" software that I'm paying for, and then I'll have some of my books on my site.

Another thing that's missing is the video tour of the shop. I have video, and I have pictures. But I don't presently have the time to learn the editing software. Consequently, I'm looking to a professional to create my video which I will then upload to my site.

Lastly, I have decided that the primary focus of this blog will be reviews of books I've read/am reading. This is the fun part for me!

So, see you in a few days with a new post. And thank you for stopping by.

BookWoman!

Hope you finished your taxes and have filed them. How many of you believe, as Harry Reid apparently does, that we voluntarily give our taxes to the government? Really.

I saw a very appropriate bumper sticker this morning on my way to the shop. It read, "Don't spread my wealth, spread my ethic." Boy is that a mouthful of truth!

I have learned how to place the pictures on my site so that when you click on them they will get bigger. That should help you see the remarkable chalk artists and their work better. Now, I'm waiting until the 20th for the Intuit folks to get with me to put up my even newer and more improved website. By then everything (incl. the email) should work right.  I'm all excited and tingly! I just need to figure out how to put on a virtual "ribbon cutting." We'll see what we can do.

Thank you for sticking with me.

BookWokman

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." Groucho Marx

Sorry I'm late...but I'm back.

Folks, it's been a while, and I've tried to do a number of things that I've been wanting to do. I have had to rethink some things. And I've decided to make some big changes, as long as I've made the move to the Intuit website hosting.

First, I made a video tour of the Bookshop. I even uploaded it to youtube. However, in spite of the fact that it uploaded, I can't upload it to my website or even put a link to the youtube url for my video because it's 20 minutes long. Yes, 20 minutes. But I told you it would be raw at first.

I've decided that, rather than just putting something together in order to just have anything, I will just redo it. (It really needs editing, anyway...it's way too amateurish right now.) What will eventually come about will probably be a short video, accompanied by a number of still shots. Or, maybe a narrated slide show will make more sense. Chances are it will change a bit along the way, because I'm doing it. And frankly,  I'm just now learning how to put up a website, how to use digital  cameras to maximize the look and effect of my website, etc.

Which brings me to the part about the BIG changes I'm having made to my website. I have asked the INTUIT folks to design a storefront for me. I plan to sell used books, obviously, from my own site. Eventually it will include t-shirts, totes, jewelry and such. But my goal is to put my whole inventory on the internet, available to anyone in real time. So whether I sell in the brick and mortar store or from this website, the inventory will be updated in real time.

I covet your prayers to get it right. You might even ask the Lord to make my brain work right so I can understand and learn all that I need to do, yet.

This is all so much fun! Thank you for sharing this with me.

BookWoman

Video Tour Coming Soon

Hello again, Good Neighbors,

I made an amateurish video tour yesterday, thinking I could put up the raw tape today. However, the video is 20 minutes long, and that's too long for my web site building package and for youtube. Oh, well.

Looks like I'll have to make changes faster than I expected, if I am to get something up within the next week.

The great thing is that I am learning so much just going through this process. Technology has sure made life more interesting. It's a double-edged sword, but when it is used well, it sure does benefit us.

See you soon.......

BookWoman

Lord! when you sell a man a book you don't sell just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship and humour and ships at sea by night - there's all heaven and earth in a book, a real book. ~Christopher Morley


History is full of stories. In fact, that is how history was passed to us...as stories. Before there was writing, there was oral tradition and cave paintings. Eventually we learned to write and read and we wrote on everything. Stone, sheep skin, papyrus, etc. And the joy of telling nonhistorical stories developed in like manner.
 
These days, there are millions of stories out there. What amazes me today is that, with all the hundreds of televison channels available to us, how often there truly is "nothing" on TV that's worth watching. Thank God for books! You can always find something interesting to stimulate your brain in a good book.
 
And at Sleepy Hollow Bookshop, we have over 50,000 used books at your disposal, for half the price (or lower) than new. Drop by, take your time and browse through our offerings.
 
We're open 10-6 pm weekdays, 10-5 Saturdays, Closed on Sundays.
 
God Bless.
 
BookWoman

Are books going to disappear? Watch this, and decide for yourselves....

Every day someone comes into the shop and tells me that books will some day be obsolete. Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.....literally. Enjoy this clever video.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Weq_sHxghcg

God Bless,

BookWoman