Augustine & Aquinas: Medieval Political Philosophy

Summary

This lecture discusses two prominent figures of Christian philosophy: Augustine and Aquinas. It explores Augustine's pessimistic view of politics and humanity, emphasizing original sin, human evil, and the necessity of strong coercive authority. In contrast, Aquinas, influenced by Aristotle, views politics as integral to human flourishing, advocating for a harmony between material prosperity, moral virtue, and spiritual salvation. The lecture touches on their differing attitudes towards tyranny and authority, setting the stage for later political philosophy discussions, such as those by Hobbes and Locke.

Takeaways

• 🕰 Augustine and Aquinas stand at two extremes of the Middle Ages, representing different periods and philosophical ideas.
• 📜 Augustine was an important early Christian philosopher, influenced by Neoplatonism, especially through Plato and Cicero.
• 😈 Augustine emphasized the concept of original sin, viewing humanity as inherently sinful and deserving of hell.
• 🛡 Augustine argued that governments are based on coercion, resembling bands of robbers, and saw politics as a necessary evil.
• 🙏 Augustine believed that Christians should accept their fate under tyranny and martyrdom rather than resist through violence.
• 🧠 Aquinas, influenced by Aristotle, emphasized the importance of politics and saw it as integral to human flourishing.
• ⚖ Aquinas introduced the idea of natural law, suggesting that moral truths are accessible to all rational beings through reason.
• 💥 Unlike Augustine, Aquinas allowed for the possibility of resistance against tyrants, though in a limited and structured way.
• 👑 Aquinas supported monarchy as the best form of government but with checks and balances, resembling a mixed regime.
• 🔗 The ideas of both Augustine and Aquinas influenced later political thought, notably Hobbes' realism and Locke's natural law.

Q & A

Who are the two key philosophers discussed in the script?

The two key philosophers discussed are Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas, who represent two extremes of the Christian Middle Ages.

How did Augustine initially view Christianity?

Augustine initially found Christianity to be intellectually unsophisticated and was influenced by the works of Cicero and Neoplatonism before fully accepting Christian doctrine.

What is Augustine's view on original sin and human nature?

Augustine believed that humanity is inherently sinful due to the original sin of Adam, and that everyone deserves to go to hell unless saved by God's inscrutable mercy.

How does Augustine view politics and government?

Augustine sees politics as a necessary evil. He believes that governments are fundamentally coercive and that there is little difference between a government and a band of robbers.

What is Augustine's stance on resistance to tyrants?

Augustine believed that Christians must submit to authority and only offer non-violent, passive resistance if commanded to act against their faith, such as being forced to sacrifice to pagan deities.

How does Aquinas' view of politics differ from Augustine's?

Aquinas viewed political engagement as integral to human flourishing, unlike Augustine, who was anti-political. Aquinas believed in the possibility of harmony between material prosperity, virtuous character, and spiritual salvation.

What role does natural law play in Aquinas' philosophy?

Aquinas believed that natural law, knowable through reason, governs universal moral truths. This law applies to all rational human beings, regardless of whether they are Christian.

Does Aquinas believe in the right to resist tyranny?

Yes, Aquinas suggests that if positive laws conflict with natural law, they are not legitimate, and there may be a right of revolution, though likely through the actions of inferior magistrates rather than individuals.

What form of government does Aquinas support?

Aquinas favored monarchy, arguing that one ruler mirrors the singular authority of God, though he also advocated for a mixed regime with elements of aristocracy and possibly democratic representation.

What connection is drawn between Augustine, Aquinas, and later philosophers?

The script highlights Augustine’s influence on thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, especially in the realist tradition, and Aquinas’ influence on philosophers like John Locke, particularly regarding natural law.