A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery.
C. S. LewisRead
Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that discovering the lack of meaning in the universe implies that there is, in fact, a deeper meaning to explore.
C. S. Lewis presents an argument against atheism by noting that the very act of recognizing the universe's lack of inherent meaning suggests a paradox. If everything were truly meaningless, we would not possess the consciousness or insight to question meaning itself, indicating that there might be a greater significance behind our existence and experiences.
Themes
AtheismMeaningPhilosophyExistenceInsight
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about the meaning of life, I could quote Lewis to highlight the complexity of belief.
More from C. S. Lewis
All quotes βI enjoyed my breakfast this morning, and I think that was a good thing and do not think it was condemned by God. But I do not think myself a good man for enjoying it.
C. S. LewisRead
Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
C. S. LewisRead
Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
C. S. LewisRead
I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
C. S. LewisRead
The instrument through which you see God is your whole self. And if a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred
C. S. LewisRead
Similar quotes
We shake with joy, we shake with grief. _x000D_ What a time they have, these two _x000D_ housed as they are in the same body.
Mary OliverRead
Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.
Marian Wright EdelmanRead
I have treated many hundreds of patients. Among those in the second half of life - that is to say, over 35 - there has not been one whose problem in the last resort was not that of finding a religious outlook on life.
Carl JungRead
Discipleship is based solely on devotion to Jesus Christ, not on following after a particular belief or doctrine.
Oswald ChambersRead
The state of slavery is in its own nature bad.
Baron De MontesquieuRead
There is a guilty conscience behind every brazen word and act and behind every manifestation of self-righteousness.
Eric HofferRead