“I live in the Managerial Age, in a world of "Admin." The greatest evil is not now done in those sordid "dens of crime" that Dickens loved to paint. It is not done even in concentration camps and labour camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the office of a thoroughly nasty business concern."[From the Preface]”
Analysis
In this quote from C.S. Lewis, the author reflects on the modern age in which he lives and identifies the greatest evil as being born in the clean, well-organized offices of managerial and administrative settings. Lewis contrasts traditional views of evil, such as those found in Dickens' depictions of "dens of crime," with the more insidious and systemic evil he sees in the bureaucratic structures of modern society. By describing Hell as akin to a police state bureaucracy or a nasty business concern, Lewis suggests that the true evil lies not in overt acts of violence or oppression, but in the everyday decisions and actions of seemingly ordinary individuals in positions of power. This quote highlights the dangers of complacency and conformity in the face of institutionalized corruption and oppression.
Modern Relevance:
In this quote from C.S. Lewis, the author delves into the concept of evil in the modern world being orchestrated and executed in seemingly innocuous office settings. This observation remains relevant in today's society where decisions with far-reaching consequences are often made behind closed doors by individuals in positions of power. It serves as a reminder that evil can manifest in bureaucratic systems and corporate environments where accountability may be lacking.
Example of Usage
C.S. Lewis aptly describes the modern world as the Managerial Age, highlighting the pervasive nature of bureaucracy in our lives. He emphasizes how the greatest evil is not found in obvious places like crime dens or concentration camps, but rather in the seemingly innocuous offices of administrative power. Lewis's powerful words urge us to consider the insidious nature of oppression and control in our society.
Reflection Questions:
Reflect on the following questions after reading the quote:
- How does C.S. Lewis's description of the "Managerial Age" and the role of "Admin" in perpetuating evil resonate with you?
- Do you agree that the greatest evil is often perpetrated behind the scenes, in bureaucratic settings rather than in overtly criminal or oppressive environments?
- Have you ever experienced or witnessed situations where seemingly mundane and official settings have been used to carry out unethical or harmful actions?
- How can individuals guard against becoming complacent or complicit in such systems of oppression and wrongdoing?
- What steps can be taken to ensure that power and authority are used for good rather than for manipulation and control?
Similar quotes
“My symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the offices of a thoroughly nasty business concern.”
“We artists are indestructible; even in a prison, or in a concentration camp, I would be almighty in my own world of art, even if I had to paint my pictures with my wet tongue on the dusty floor of my cell.”
“Ned passed the next few minutes quietly not dying in his office, and was pleased with how well it was going. He'd stayed alive longer, but now that he was concentrating on it, it felt more like an accomplishment.”
“At Tom's back, receding from view, lay State Street's Victorian brick facades, where lobbyists and trade associations housed their offices, like a Mount Everest base camp for professional influence peddlers.”
“The State which would provide everything, absorbing everything into itself, would ultimately become a mere bureaucracy incapable of guaranteeing the very thing which the suffering person—every person—needs: namely, loving personal concern. We do not need a State which regulates and controls everything, but a State which, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, generously acknowledges and supports initiatives arising from the different social forces and combines spontaneity with closeness to those in need. The Church is one of those living forces.”