The Taste for the Other: The Social and Ethical Thought of C.S. Lewis

by Gilbert C. Meilaender

"A deeply meditated study of C.S. Lewis as a social philosopher. It does him good service. Avoiding unnecesaary biographical data, Meilaender concentrates rigoursly on Lewis' writings in an attempt to 'get at the heart of [his] vision of human community and his understanding of morality' . . . A discriminating work with an intricate structure well suited to the subject." -Modern Language Review "Meilaender's first-class scholarly study of Lewis's social and ethical thought is also a fine commentary on his anthropology . . . A well-written interpretation of the man who has probably had more influence on the theology of thoughtful Christians in the twentieth century than all the church's professional theologians." -Choice "Meilaender is a master exegete and critic of Lewis' dialectical vision in all its rich concreteness . . . This work must now stand as our best guide to Lewis's thought." -Christian Century "A remarkably complete look at Lewis's thought." -New Oxford Review "Combining solid scholarship with literary imagination, Meilaender does what Lewis himself does: he fascinates readers and draws them unawares into serious thought and into reflection requiring a response. . . . A first-rate study of Lewis that can serve also as an introduction to a serious study of all of Lewis's works." -Religious Studies Review "A book that has been needed for a long time. Meilaender brings to his study not only an in-depth knowledge of philosophy and theology but also a keen literary awareness. . . . A gracefully readable, luminously clear book." -Christianity and Literature GILBERT MEILAENDER is the Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg Professor of Christian Ethics at Valparaiso University. His most recent book is Bioethics: A Primer for Christians (Eerdmans).

Genres: Theology

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[L Gregory Lott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this edition came out in 1998, the first edition came out in 1978. For those of us who are C. S. Lewis readers this is an excellent book to have one's library. Specifically for those whose forte; like myself are philosophy and theology. Meilaender does a commendable work in outlining and detailing how ethics comes into play in his writings. Then how that impacted his views both ethically and socially and what Lewis wanted people to learn from that. I do agree with the author that Lewis is heavily influenced by Augustinian theology and philosophy. I believe that this is important when considering anything that Lewis wrote, and specifically when it comes to his apologetic and theological writings. One must also remember that Lewis was not a professional theologian; nor did he ever claim to be.

[Brenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undoubtedly one of the most important books in C.S. Lewis studies.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best studies I've ever read of C.S. Lewis's social and ethical thought. It's a very meaty, meditative analysis that at the same time is accessible and readable -- quite an accomplishment. Meilaender argues that Lewis's central premise in his theological works is: "All human beings are made for life in community with God (and, thereby, with one another)." This vision is brilliantly illustrated in this book, and I'd recommend this study to anyone who wants to look more deeply into C.S. Lewis's thought.

[Erik]

Recommended by James Schall in Another Sort of Learning, Chapter 20, as one of Ten Books on the Humanities.

[Cecelia]

Rather dense but a good resource for papers.