They would find themselves having a reason for chastity and self-denial.

He says that “Providence takes its cue from men.” John protests, saying that if World State citizens believed in God, they would not find themselves degraded by their pleasant vices. Mond says that people only believe what they have been conditioned to. John asks whether it is natural to feel that God exists. Mond argues that in a society that is youthful and prosperous, nothing can be lost and that therefore there is no need for religion. He reads aloud extensive passages from Cardinal Newman, a nineteenth-century Catholic theologian, as well as Maine de Biran, an eighteenth-century French philosopher. Mond lets John see his collection of banned religious writings. While the conversation in Chapter 16 dealt with human experiences as well as the institutions that the World State has done away with, in Chapter 17 they talk about religion and religious experience, which have also been eliminated from the society. John and Mustapha Mond continue in their philosophical discussion when Helmholtz goes to check on Bernard.

Chapter 18 sparknotes brave new world