C. S. Lewis Quote

"Again, the new oligarchy must more and more base its claim to plan us on its claim to knowledge. If we are to be mothered, mother must know best. This means they must increasingly rely on the advice of scientists, till in the end the politicians proper become merely the scientists' puppets. Technocracy is the form to which a planned society must tend. Now I dread specialists in power because they are specialists speaking outside their special subjects. Let scientists tell us about sciences. But government involves questions about the good for man, and justice, and what things are worth having at what price; and on these a scientific training gives a man's opinion no added value. Let the doctor tell me I shall die unless I do so-and-so; but whether life is worth having on those terms is no more a question for him than for any other man."

by:	C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), British novelist
Source:	Willing Slaves of the Welfare State, first published in The Observer on July 20, 1958 http://liberty-tree.ca/research/willing_slaves_of_the_welfare_state
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Categories:	Control, Government, Knowledge, Oligarchy, Power, Science, Technology
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-- Mike, Norwalk
Hopefully, just over 5 decades later, Mr. Lewis' ideas still can "hold water." I suppose ALL "philosophers" have the liberty (or take it ) to criticize everyone else's' actions. NOT THAT WE DON'T NEED CRITIQUES -- ALL OF US -- BUT I OFTEN THINK THE "PROFESSIONAL" PHILOSOPHER NEEDS MORE-THAN-A-NORMAL CRITIQUING, SINCE AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THEY ARE THE REPOSITORY OF WISDOM (They and those with a Religious bent, who also tell us what life is all about). I AM OPEN, BUT NOT EASILY LED.  -- Bob, Charlotte, VT
-- Tim, Yakima, WA
I like "Let the doctor tell me I shall die unless I do so-and-so; but whether life is worth having on those terms is no more a question for him than for any other man." We are constantly 'warned' of the dangers of drugs, guns, in fact ANY power that can be used to counter 'mob rule.' BUT we are rarely given the choice over the 'problem' versus the problems created by the solution.  -- E Archer, NYC
When I was 12, that was what a doctor told my Mother & Father. They had to make the decision on whether to let the doctors operate, or let me die. . . . I am grateful that they let me live, and at least give my purpose here on Earth one more shot. . . . .I promised it to my Father & to Our God. . . .  -- Mary Paula Grimes, Flint
One of the few Christians I admired - definitely not for his political views but for his battle with reason. Though I do wholeheartedly agree the specialist should remain a specialist, period.  -- Robert, St. Emilion, France

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