The Way

Stephen Simmons
AP English 11/Mr. George
10/18/09
The Way

"This thing which I have called for convenience the Tao, and which others may call Natural Law or Traditional Morality or the First Principles of Practical Reason or the First Platitudes, is not one among a series of possible systems of value. It is the sole source of all value judgments. If it is rejected, all value is rejected...The human mind has no more power of inventing a new value than of imagining a new primary color, or, indeed, of creating a new sun and a new sky for it to move in"(Lewis 43-44).

"Those who understand the spirit of the Tao and who have been led by that spirit can modify it in directions which that spirit itself demands" (47).

The Way is an argument based more on morality and the erroneous nature of The Green Book. In this section Lewis argues that once someone rejects the idea of objectiveness and appeals more towards the subjective side of life, that they are making it impossible for themselves to rebuild or construct a clear and logical basis for morality. Lewis further argues that If you do reject the Tao or Natural law, that you are rejecting yourself and life itself. It is not only until one understands the Tao or law of human nature, that one can become "open" to no values.