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.
Without the aid of trained emotions the intellect is powerless against the animal organism.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Emotions play a crucial role in human intellect and decision-making, and without them, intellect alone cannot function effectively.
This quote by C. S. Lewis emphasizes the importance of emotions in guiding our intellect. It suggests that while intellectual reasoning is valuable, it is not sufficient on its own; we must also recognize and understand our emotions to navigate life effectively. The 'animal organism' refers to the instinctual part of our nature, highlighting how emotions are deeply rooted in our biology and significantly influence our thoughts and actions.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on psychology, this quote can be used to highlight the interplay between emotions and rational thought.
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.
Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
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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If you keep saying things are going to be bad, you have a good chance of being a prophet.
We're receiving information from all the planes of our consciousness all the time, but we don't acknowledge their existence; we treat the information as static, as noise.
I never felt I knew it all. I always felt there's something new to learn, something new to do.
You can be on the cusp of something. Appreciate the cusp, not the something. Appreciate this moment now.