“Reason is the natural order of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning.”
Image credits：Aronsyne,”Lewis, age 48″,CC BY-SA 4.0,C.S.-Lewis – C. S. Lewis – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963
- Born in Ireland
- Writer, scholar
- Had a major influence on fantasy literature and religious thought through his many works, including the Chronicles of Narnia series and The Poetics of Christianity
Quote
“Reason is the natural order of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis distinguishes between reason and imagination, assigning each a unique and essential role in the pursuit of understanding. Reason is associated with the discovery of truth, providing a logical and structured way of understanding the world. It helps us make sense of facts, principles, and evidence through rational thought. However, Lewis emphasizes that imagination plays a crucial role in finding meaning—it helps us grasp the deeper significance of truth and connect it to the human experience. While reason organizes and clarifies what is true, imagination enriches and illuminates the personal relevance of those truths, allowing us to understand not just the facts, but their implications and emotional resonance. Lewis suggests that meaning comes not only from logical deduction, but also from the ability of imagination to reframe those truths in a way that speaks to the heart and soul.
Historically, Lewis, as both a scholar and writer, was deeply interested in the relationship between reason and imagination, especially in the context of Christianity and literature. In works such as The Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis used imagination to convey spiritual truths and moral lessons in ways that logic alone could not. He believed that myth, story, and symbol were essential tools for understanding deeper truths, offering a way to make abstract concepts more concrete and personal. Lewis also acknowledged that reason and imagination should not be in conflict but should work in harmony, with reason grounding imagination in truth, and imagination helping reason to explore the richness of meaning.
In the modern context, this quote is particularly relevant in a world where rationalism and scientific thinking are often seen as the primary ways to understand and make sense of the world, while imagination may be regarded as secondary or even unnecessary. Lewis’s words invite us to reclaim the importance of imagination in areas like art, literature, and faith, where the depth of meaning goes beyond mere factual accuracy. In our personal lives, it encourages us to use imagination not just for creativity or escape, but as a tool for understanding the moral and spiritual significance of our experiences, allowing us to perceive the world through a richer, more meaningful lens.
