In 'Bulverism,' C. S. Lewis makes a mockery of a recurring theme of ideology of the 20th century. Lewis introduces the ugliness of the way of the thinking by explaining the discoveries of both Marxians and Freudians. These two groups of people studied different eras of historic in order to learn why these societies acted in the ways they did. As lewis states, "Nowadays the Freudian will tell you to go and analyze the hundred: you will find that they all think Elizabeth a great queen because they all have a mother-complex." This statement implies a certain "taintedness" to the people of that era.
Lewis attempts to tear this label-ism down, for as soon as one examines a system from outside of such system (i. e. history), he becomes an examination by another. There is no escaping this fact. Lewis demonstrates this thought process by defining 'Bulverism.' Bulverism, founded after the fictional character Ezekiel Bulver, is the practice of showing a man why he is wrong, before explaining that the man is wrong. Comically, Lewis writes that, as a child, Ezekiel heard his mother told his father during an argument, "Oh you say that because you are a man." From that point on, Ezekiel realized that refutation is no necessary part of argument. Assume that your opponent is wrong, and then explain his error, and the world will be at your feet.
Lewis goes on to explain the difference between basing decisions off of reason rather than cause. What I gleamed from this part of the essay, is that in a Bulveristic paradigm, we do things to suit our own ambitions, refusing to look at the final product of our decisions. Relying on reason, however, grants the ability to see a final result of a decision.
I like the ‘relying on reason’ vs. the ‘Bulveristic paradigm’. You are right, we use this bulveristic paradigm constantly to satisfy our own whishes, lifestyle, or even just to impose ourselves. Reason may give us a chance to see past this. However, if we go back to the Meditation in a toolshed’s concept of ‘looking along’ and ‘looking at’ could we say that the fact that we see in part (and need the sunshine to be able to see at all) limits our ability to see the complete picture, and as such reason may still not give us the ability to see the final, lifelong, results of our actions?
ReplyDeleteI found in another blog Bulverism was connected to pride. I see this in your blog too. We are proud about our own ambitions and do not care about the consequences. Good job!
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