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
The Intelligentsia (scientists apart) are losing all touch with, and all influence over, nearly the whole human race. Our most esteemed poets and critics are read by our most esteemed critics and poets (who don't usually like them much) and nobody else takes any notice. An increasing number of highly literate people simply ignore what the 'Highbrows' are doing. It says nothing to them. The Highbrows in return ignore and insult them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
C. S. Lewis critiques the disconnect between intellectual elites and the broader public, highlighting the neglect of meaningful engagement.
In this quote, C. S. Lewis expresses concern over the growing estrangement between the intellectual elite, often referred to as the 'Intelligentsia,' and the general populace. He notes that esteemed works of literature and criticism are only appreciated within a narrow circle of critics and poets, while the majority of literate individuals remain indifferent to them. This creates a feedback loop where the elites feel insulted by the disinterest of the masses, thereby deepening the divide and rendering important cultural discussions inaccessible to many. Ultimately, Lewis points out the failure of these elites to engage with the concerns and realities of everyday people, advocating for a more inclusive discourse.
Themes
IntelligentsiaDisconnectionElitePublicLiteratureCulture
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the role of intellectuals in society during a keynote speech.
More from C. S. Lewis
All quotes →I 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.
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Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
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Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
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I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
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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
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