Mere improvement is not redemption, though redemption always improves people

This quote by C. S. Lewis is essentially saying that just because someone is improving, it does not necessarily mean they are redeemed. Redemption, in this context, refers to a kind of moral or spiritual salvation – a profound transformation that fundamentally alters one’s character or perspective for the better.

Improvement, on the other hand, can often be incremental and superficial. One might improve in certain skills or habits without experiencing any deeper change at the level of character or worldview. So while all redemption involves improvement (since becoming ‘redeemed’ invariably makes one a better person), not all improvement constitutes redemption.

In terms of application to today’s world or personal development, this idea could be seen as a caution against complacency and superficiality. In our self-improvement-obsessed culture, it’s easy to get caught up in chasing after marginal gains and lose sight of deeper changes we need to make.

For instance, someone might focus on improving their productivity at work but ignore underlying issues like poor work-life balance or lack of fulfillment in their job – issues that require more than mere ‘improvement’. This quote reminds us that real transformation often demands more than just surface-level tweaks; it requires us to confront and change fundamental aspects about ourselves.

Moreover, from a societal perspective too – addressing symptoms rather than causes can lead us astray. For example: policies aimed at reducing crime rates may improve statistics but unless they address root causes such as social inequality and lack of education – true ‘redemption’ remains elusive.

So whether it’s personal development or societal reform – Lewis’ quote emphasizes the importance of seeking profound positive transformations over mere improvements.