Saint Augustine and Thomas Aquinas: the role of the State in Medieval Europe (video lecture)

Summary

This video explores the differing views of St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas on the purpose of the state in medieval Europe. Augustine, living in the late Roman Empire, saw the state as a necessary institution to curb human sin and maintain order, even under tyrannical rule. In contrast, Aquinas, influenced by Aristotle, viewed the state as a natural expression of human society, promoting virtue and justice. The video delves into their contrasting views on human nature, governance, and the role of reason, ultimately highlighting how these ideas shaped political thought in the medieval period.

Takeaways

• 😀 Augustine and Aquinas were not contemporaries, with Augustine living in the 4th-5th centuries and Aquinas in the 13th century.
• 😀 Augustine viewed the state as a necessary institution to curb humanity's sinful nature, serving both as divine punishment and a means to maintain order.
• 😀 Aquinas, in contrast, saw the state as a natural expression of human political nature, emphasizing its potential to promote human flourishing through natural law.
• 😀 Augustine subscribed to predestination, dividing humanity into the 'City of God' (those who love God) and the 'Earthly City' (those driven by sin and desire).
• 😀 Augustine believed that the unregenerate majority would push the world towards violence and chaos, and only the state could restrain these tendencies.
• 😀 According to Augustine, even if a king is a tyrant, the state still serves a divine purpose by maintaining order and peace.
• 😀 Aquinas rejected Augustine's pessimistic view of human nature, believing that reason could help build a just society based on divine natural law.
• 😀 Aquinas did not believe in predestination, focusing instead on humanity's capacity for reason and moral improvement in this world.
• 😀 Aquinas proposed a monarchy, but one based on a mixed constitution where the king would be supported by advisers and could be removed by the people if he became a tyrant.
• 😀 The core difference between Augustine and Aquinas lies in their views on human nature—Augustine saw humanity as fundamentally sinful and needing control, while Aquinas believed in the potential for virtue and reason to shape society.
• 😀 Modern political philosophy tends to follow Aquinas’s more optimistic view of human nature, but the video suggests we may need to reconsider some of Augustine’s warnings in light of contemporary global instability.

Q & A

What is the historical context of St. Augustine's life and philosophy?

St. Augustine was born in 354 AD in the Roman province of Numidia, in present-day Algeria. He lived during a period when the Roman Empire was in decline, and Christianity was becoming the official religion of the Empire. This context greatly influenced his views on the role of the state and human nature.

How did the decline of classical civilization affect Augustine's philosophy?

As classical Greek and Roman culture faded, Augustine's philosophy was increasingly shaped by Christian theology, with Biblical scripture taking precedence over the works of classical thinkers like Plato. His views on politics and the state were influenced by the need for Christian doctrine to guide society during turbulent times.

What are the key components of St. Augustine's view of human nature?

Augustine believed that human nature was corrupted by original sin, which weakened free will and made humans prone to evil. He saw people as divided into two groups: the 'City of God' (those who love God) and the 'Earthly City' (those driven by earthly desires such as lust and the pursuit of power).

What is Augustine's conception of the state's role in society?

Augustine saw the state as a necessary institution designed to curb the sinful impulses of humanity. The state's primary function was to maintain peace and order through the threat of punishment, which would restrain the 'unregenerate souls' and allow the virtuous to live better lives.

Why did Augustine believe a monarchy was the ideal form of government?

Augustine believed that a monarchy was the best form of government because it could provide stability and order, even if the king was not a virtuous Christian. He argued that citizens should submit to the rule of the king, even if the king was a tyrant, because the state itself was part of God's divine plan for humanity.

How does St. Thomas Aquinas's view of human nature differ from Augustine's?

Unlike Augustine, Aquinas had a more optimistic view of human nature. He did not believe in predestination and argued that humans could use reason to build a just society. Aquinas believed that natural law, a moral compass inherent in human nature, could guide people toward virtue.

What role does natural law play in Aquinas's political theory?

Natural law is central to Aquinas's political theory. He argued that God has given humans an innate sense of morality, allowing them to distinguish right from wrong. This natural law forms the foundation for creating just laws and promoting a virtuous society.

What is the purpose of the state according to Aquinas?

According to Aquinas, the state exists not only to suppress sin through punishment but also to promote human flourishing and well-being. The state should foster a virtuous society, where individuals can live justly and reach their full potential.

How does Aquinas's view of the state differ from Augustine's?

Aquinas viewed the state as a natural expression of humanity’s social nature, whereas Augustine saw it primarily as a punishment for sin. Aquinas believed that reason and natural law could guide the state toward justice, while Augustine thought the state’s role was to keep sinful desires in check through fear of punishment.

What is the mixed constitution proposed by Aquinas?

Aquinas proposed a mixed constitution, where a monarch would be elected by the people and supported by advisers. The king would not govern alone but would be assisted by others, and citizens would have a role in the daily workings of the state. If the king became a tyrant, the people had the right to dispose of him.

How are Augustine’s and Aquinas's views on human nature and governance relevant to modern political philosophy?

Modern political philosophy tends to follow Aquinas’s more optimistic view, emphasizing human reason and potential in shaping just societies. However, Augustine’s cautionary ideas about human nature and the dangers of unrestrained power still resonate today, especially in times when states are in chaos or disarray.