If you are looking for the introduction to this book study you can click HERE. Each part of the study guide will be linked to the bottom of the original introduction as they become available so that you may more easily find whichever part you are ready for. Still need to buy the book? You can get it HERE!
Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)
What does Lewis say will be the “practical result of education in the spirit of The Green Book? (pg. 27)
What does Lewis say the very writing of The Green Book proves about Gaius and Titius? (pg. 27-28)
What does Lewis say is “the important point” concerning The Green Books? (pg. 28)
How does Lewis explain why it is “subterfuge” to use words like “necessary” or “progressive” or “efficient” instead of simply “good”? (pg. 28)
What does Lewis describe as “a fool’s or villain’s undertaking”? (pg. 29)
When did this “uncritical dogmatism” concerning “values” become the fashion of “moderately educated young men”? (pg. 29)
What might an “innovator” dismiss as “mere irrational sentiments”? (pg. 30)
Having established that some people must die that others may live, what is “the very reasonable counter question” which arises from this notion? (pg. 31)
By what means, according to Lewis, is the Innovator trying to get his conclusion? (pg. 32)
What two options does Lewis say the Innovator is left with when pure reason fails to produce individuals willing to sacrifice themselves for “society”? (pg. 32)
Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)
The initial quote in this section of the book is from the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It says, “It is upon the trunk that a gentleman works.” What does this mean? (pg. 27)
The ad baculum fallacy (Latin for “to the stick”) is a fallacy wherein someone is told to either act or not act upon something (or to believe or disbelieve something) because harm will come to that person if they don’t listen to the one who is warning them. How is Lewis careful to avoid this fallacy here? (pg. 27)
The Greek statement Lewis’ quotes on pg. 27 is from Homer’s Iliad and it means “Let us die in daylight.” What does this mean?
What does it mean for something to be “good for its own sake”? (pg. 28)
Why is their a kind of hypocrisy in Gaius and Titius position about “values”? (pg. 29)
Why might “the death of some men” be “useful to other men”? (pg. 30)
Why does Lewis think “pure reason” falls short as a motivator for altruistic actions? (pg. 30-31)
Lewis states that “practical principles known to all men by Reason are simply the Tao”. (pg.32) What does he mean by this?
Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)
Lewis referred to fools and villains on pg. 29. Which is more dangerous, a fool or a villain? Why do you think so?
Explain what the word “ought” means. How should people decide what they ought to do? Should it be a process of reasoning? Should it appeal to an authority? Is it some combination of these or even something else? Explain your answer fully.
Theological Analysis: (Sola
Read Romans 1:18-32. How would you relate this to the present reading concerning what people ought to do and their responsibility for not doing it?
Read Exodus 20:1-17. How does this passage relate to our present reading?
Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)
Love, The Good