C. S. Lewis & Philosophy as a Way of Life

by Dr Adam Barkman

C. S. Lewis, renowned Christian apologist and beloved author of children’s novels, is rarely thought of as a “philosopher” per se despite having both studied and taught philosophy for several years at Oxford. Moreover, Lewis’s long journey to Christianity was essentially philosophical ― passing through seven different stages. This journey, as well as every philosophical topic Lewis discussed, including metaphysics, natural theology, epistemology, logic, psychology, ethics, socio-political philosophy, and aesthetics are explained here in detail. Barkman incorporates previously unexplored treasures from Lewis’s unpublished philosophy lecture notes, lost philosophical essays, and hand-written annotations from copies of his philosophical books, such as Aristotle’s Ethics and Augustine’s City of God. _._._._._ “Indispensable” ~ Dr. James Como, author of “Remembering C.S. Lewis”._._._._._ “A magisterial work, chock full of fresh historical tidbits and penetrating analysis.” ~ Dr. David Bagget, author of “C.S. Lewis as Philosopher”.

Genres: Philosophy

624 pages, Hardcover

First published June 19, 2009

Reviews

[Harrison K Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read just about everything C.S. Lewis ever wrote. On top of that, I get my hands on any book ABOUT Lewis I can find - and that is a lot of books. There are a few notable ones that offered great insight. Colin Duriez’s biography as well as his history of the inklings are two that I loved. There are several books which focus on his imagination and others on his apologetic works. And there are just as many books which deal with Lewis as an intellectual. Of all of those books (Dangerous Idea, Lewis Vs. New Atheists, Lewis as Philosopher, etc.) this work by Adam Barkman is by far the best, most well researched, most objective, and most (in my opinion) accurate account of Lewis’s intellectual life. It is really two books in one. First, it is a deep and thorough intellectual biography. I especially love that Barkman focuses on how Lewis was a philosopher in the classical sense, that is, that philosophy is not a “subject” - it is a way of life. A true philosopher orders his or her whole life towards the cultivation of wisdom and virtue - that is, a philosopher is one who loves wisdom. In that sense, Lewis was one of only a few true philosophers in a world full of philosophy professors. Secondly, it is a systematic look at Lewis’s mature philosophical positions on every branch of philosophy from metaphysics, epistemology and psychology to his moral, aesthetic and socio-political philosophy. This book is well worth the cost and the time. Not only will you learn about C.S. Lewis, you will also learn a lot of classic philosophy and perhaps be inspired to practice true philosophy. I cannot recommend this book enough.

[Matthew Hinman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. Thorough in its treatment of Lewis' historical beliefs as well as its explanations of the beliefs themselves. Thankfully it uses footnotes instead of endnotes, as there are hundreds and hundreds of them.