The Abolition of Man: The Way

Quote 1: "[The Tao] is the sole source of all value judgments. If it is rejected, all value is rejected. If any value is retained, it is retained" (43).

Quote 2: "If we are to have values at all we must accept the ultimate platitudes of Practical Reason as having absolute validity" (49).

Lewis explains that Gaius ,Titius, and the Innovator believe in an ideal society, and are attempting to win their readers approval of it. Other's values, according to Gaius, Titius, and the Innovator, are doubtful, simply because it does not follow theirs. They are trying to cut out any emotion one feels, so that one will only do things for society's benefit. We either agree to do anything to preserve society or we give up finding the core reason behind our sentiments that have been falsified. It is an instinct within us to preserve society and ourselves; we do not need Reason to tell us this. Gaius and Titius believe that our care in "posterity finds its justification in instinct" (39). Lewis opposes this and explains our instinct is "the impulse to preserve our own children and grandchildren" (38). Lewis also expresses that "all the practical principles behind the Innovator's case for posterity, or society, or the species, are there from time immemorial in the Tao" (40). All value we have will be sentimental, but not always subjective because there are things that do not need proof to be considered simply reasonable. Those that do not believe in the Tao must not speak against it because they do not know what it is, but those who practice it, will understand what is being said. In conclusion, skeptics who try to eliminate traditional values and replace them with 'real' values are rejecting the concept of value altogether.