Thesis Theater: Grace Bennett, “Neutral and Evil Technology in Lewis and Tolkien"

What this episode covers

This recording from August 13, 2025. Signum University presents Thesis Theater with Grace Bennett on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 3pm ET. This thesis challenges the reductionistic narrative that C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were anti-technology and anti-science. It examines technological examples from the works of Lewis and Tolkien that show their varying degrees of comfort and caution surrounding different types of technology. The first category this thesis assesses is technology created for knowledge, which Lewis and Tolkien saw as inherently neutral and able to be used for good or evil. The second category, technology for travel between worlds, highlights Lewis’s fears about lasting negative consequences of space travel, and the third category examines inherently evil technology created for control and domination. About the Presenter: Grace Bennett has been working towards an MA in Language and Literature from Signum University with a concentration in Medieval and Renaissance Literature. She is originally from North Carolina and got her bachelor’s degree in Literature from Patrick Henry College, located in Virginia. She currently lives in St Andrews, Scotland with her husband while he pursues a master’s degree at the University of St Andrews. Grace works for the Classic Learning Test and spends much of her free time (now that her thesis is finished!) reading, baking, and exploring the magical Scottish seaside. She is head-over-heels for anything to do with Lewis, Tolkien, Middle English, tea, Doctor Who, and puffins. She hopes to pursue further Lewis and Tolkien studies in the future! About Signum Thesis Theaters: Each of our master’s students writes a thesis at the end of their degree program, exploring a topic of their choice. The Thesis Theater is their opportunity to present their research to a general audience, and answer questions. All are welcome to attend! Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/. To learn more about Signum's rigorous academic graduate program: https://signumuniversity.org/degree-programs/graduate/ma-in-language-and-literature/ Want to enjoy Signum’s educational offerings? Start here! https://signumuniversity.org/non-degree-programs/Support The Signum Scene