Heretics · Chapter
Mr. Bernard Shaw explained
Chesterton critiques Bernard Shaw's philosophy, arguing that Shaw's realism is flawed by an inner ideal of the Superman that prevents him from appreciating humanity as it is.
What happens
Chesterton critiques Bernard Shaw's philosophy, arguing that Shaw's realism is flawed by an inner ideal of the Superman that prevents him from appreciating humanity as it is. Chesterton defends the value of ordinary, flawed man and the Christian Church founded on a weak man, contrasting it with the failed empires built on strong men.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Modern Morality
Chesterton criticizes Shaw's rejection of moral ideals and generalizations, arguing that such a stance is self-defeating and restrains human freedom.
Humility and Romance
Chesterton emphasizes the importance of humility and wonder in appreciating reality, contrasting Shaw's lack of humility with the 'religious astonishment' that sees the world as a fairy tale.
Orthodoxy vs. Heresy
The chapter implicitly defends orthodox Christian humility and the value of flawed humanity against the heretical ideal of the Superman.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Bernard Shaw
Chesterton analyzes Shaw's philosophy, his realism, his Ibsenism, and his turn to the Superman ideal, arguing that Shaw lacks humility and fails to see the wonder of ordinary humanity.
- Nietzsche
Mentioned as Shaw's 'new master,' whose notion that a stronger man despises other things Chesterton criticizes.
- Jesus Christ
Referenced at the end as establishing His Church on a weak man (Peter), contrasting with the Superman ideal.
- Ibsen
Shaw's philosophy is linked to 'The Quintessence of Ibsenism,' representing the rejection of moral ideals.
Key passages
“The saying that 'the golden rule is that there is no golden rule,' can, indeed, be simply answered by being turned round. That there is no golden rule is itself a golden rule, or rather it is much worse than a golden rule. It is an iron rule; a fetter on the first movement of a man.”
Chesterton argues that Shaw's principle that there are no absolute rules is itself an absolute rule, and a restrictive one at that.
This captures Chesterton's logical rebuttal of Shaw's moral relativism.
“When Christ at a symbolic moment was establishing His great society, He chose for its cornerstone neither the brilliant Paul nor the mystic John, but a shuffler, a snob, a coward—in a word, a man. And upon this rock He has built His Church, and the gates of Hell have not prevailed against it.”
Chesterton asserts that the Christian Church's strength comes from being founded on a weak, ordinary man (Peter), unlike human empires built on strong men.
This is the chapter's concluding argument, contrasting the Superman ideal with Christian humility.