C.S. Lewis, in "The Abolition of Man," critiques a simplistic approach to human nature, indicating that society often seeks to strip away the vital components of what makes us fully human. He highlights a contradiction in contemporary values, where emotional and moral virtues are expected despite the removal of their foundational qualities. This leads to a society lacking moral integrity, as people are left with functions without the necessary qualities to fulfill them.

Lewis suggests that by neglecting the importance of character and virtue, we create individuals who are incapable of true honor and enterprise. This results in disillusionment when we encounter betrayal and dishonor, as society has fostered a disconnection between moral grounding and human behavior. He emphasizes the folly of expecting greatness from those who have been 'castrated' of their moral faculties, urging a return to understanding and cultivating the core virtues that define humanity.