Synopses & Reviews
Although it has been almost seventy years since Time declared C.S. Lewis one of the world's most influential spokespersons for Christianity and fifty years since Lewis's death, his influence remains just as great if not greater today.
While much has been written on Lewis and his work, virtually nothing has been written from a philosophical perspective on his views of happiness, pleasure, pain, and the soul and body. As a result, no one so far has recognized that his views on these matters are deeply interesting and controversial, and-perhaps more jarring-no one has yet adequately explained why Lewis never became a Roman Catholic. Stewart Goetz's careful investigation of Lewis's philosophical thought reveals oft-overlooked implications and demonstrates that it was, at its root, at odds with that of Thomas Aquinas and, thereby, the Roman Catholic Church.
Synopsis
2013 marked the 50th anniversary of the death of C. S. Lewis. In 1947, Time declared Lewis one of the most influential spokespersons for Christianity in the English-speaking world. The influence of Lewis is just as great if not greater today. While much has been written on Lewis, virtually nothing has been written from a philosophical perspective on his views of happiness, pleasure, pain, and the soul and body. As a result of this neglect, no one so far as recognized how interesting and controversial his views of these matters are. They are also important for a reason that no one has yet seen and explained: Lewis views of these topics were at odds with those of Thomas Aquinas and this helps explain why Lewis never became a Roman Catholic.
About the Author
Stewart Goetz is Professor of Philosophy and Ross Frederick Wicks Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Ursinus College, USA. His past publications include The Purpose of Life: A Theistic Perspective (2012), The Soul Hypothesis: Investigations into the Existence of the Soul (co-edited with Mark C. Baker, 2010), and A Brief History of the Soul (co-authored with Charles Taliaferro, 2011).
Table of Contents
Introduction
1: C. S. Lewis,
Mere Christianity, and Roman Catholicism
2: C. S. Lewis on Happiness, Pleasure, and Pain
3: C. S. Lewis on Soul and Body
4: Thomas Aquinas on Happiness, Pleasure, and Pain
5: Thomas Aquinas on Soul and Body
6: C. S. Lewis in Defense of Common Sense
Bibliography
Index