The Discarded Image – Clive Staples Lewis – 1964
The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Cosmology
Clive Staples Lewis, in The Discarded Image, undertakes a detailed examination of the medieval model of the universe – a cosmology profoundly different from our own, yet one that shaped the thought and imagination of Western culture for centuries. The work isn’t a defense of this model’s scientific validity, but rather an attempt to understand its internal coherence and the worldview it engendered. Lewis meticulously reconstructs the ‘Discarded Image’—a geocentric universe comprised of concentric spheres, each inhabited by different beings and governed by distinct principles. He explores how this cosmology influenced perceptions of space, time, value, and ultimately, human purpose.
What the Book Explores
Lewis details the layers of the medieval cosmos, moving from the earthly sphere outward through the spheres of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the fixed stars, and finally, the Empyrean – the dwelling place of God. He elucidates the associated qualities and inhabitants of each sphere, including the angelic hierarchies. The book demonstrates how this model wasn’t merely a scientific theory but a comprehensive symbolic system, intricately linked to theology, morality, and art. The author explores the notion of ‘sublunary’ and ‘superlunary’ realms, explaining how medieval thinkers believed the world below the moon was subject to change and decay, while the heavens were immutable and perfect.
Historical / Cultural Context
Published in 1964, The Discarded Image arose from Lewis’s broader interest in the history of ideas and his desire to understand the intellectual roots of Western civilization. It was a period of increasing secularization and a growing sense of disconnection from the past. Lewis saw the loss of the medieval worldview as a significant cultural impoverishment, not because he wished to reinstate it, but because he believed it offered valuable insights into human nature and the human condition. The book was written as a counterpoint to a perceived reductionism in modern thought. It stands as a response to the positivist dismissal of pre-modern worldviews as simply ‘incorrect’ science. Lewis aimed to reveal the richness and complexity of a worldview that had nurtured great art, literature, and philosophy.
Who This Book Is For
This book appeals to readers interested in the history of science, the history of ideas, medieval and Renaissance literature, and the relationship between cosmology and culture. While Lewis writes with scholarly precision, his prose is accessible to a general audience. It is particularly relevant to those seeking to understand the symbolic foundations of Western art and literature, and how those symbols were informed by a specific cosmological framework. It does not require a background in science or philosophy, but it rewards careful reading and a willingness to engage with a radically different worldview.
Further Reading
- E.M.W. Tillyard, The Elizabethan World Picture (1944): A classic study of the cosmology prevalent in Elizabethan England, closely related to the medieval model explored by Lewis.
- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (1952): Illustrates Lewis’s broader theological concerns that underpin his interest in understanding historical worldviews.
- Mircea Eliade, Cosmos and History (1954): Provides a comparative study of cosmological myths and symbols across various cultures.
Disclaimer.
Oraclepedia is an independent educational and cultural project. The material presented explores myths, belief systems, symbolic traditions, and aspects of human perception from historical, cultural, and psychological perspectives.
Content is provided for informational and reflective purposes only and does not promote specific beliefs, spiritual practices, or ideological positions. Interpretations presented reflect scholarly, cultural, or symbolic analysis rather than factual claims about the natural world.