Religare - Conhecimento e Religião com Silvia Maria de Contaldo - Bloco 1.mp4

Summary

In this engaging discussion, philosophy professor Silvia Maria de Contaldo explores the life and thought of Saint Augustine, focusing on his personal journey, intellectual evolution, and religious conversion. She highlights Augustine's deep engagement with various philosophical and religious traditions, including Manichaeism and Neoplatonism, before his eventual embrace of Christianity. The conversation delves into Augustine's leadership within the church, his pastoral role, and the key themes in his works, such as the nature of evil, happiness, and human identity. The exploration of Augustine’s 'Confessions' offers insights into his self-examination and philosophical inquiries that remain relevant today.

Takeaways

• 😀 Silvia Maria de Contaldo is a Philosophy professor at PUC Minas with a master's in literature and a Ph.D. in medieval philosophy from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul.
• 😀 Her thesis on Augustine's *Confessions* was supervised by Professor Luí Alberto Deboni and later published as a book titled *Cor Inquieto*.
• 😀 The interview focuses on the life and thought of Saint Augustine, particularly his philosophical and religious journey.
• 😀 Augustine lived during a time of crisis, witnessing the collapse of the Roman Empire and internal conflicts in Christianity.
• 😀 Augustine's search for truth led him through multiple philosophical schools, including Manichaeism, Skepticism, Platonism, and Neoplatonism.
• 😀 His conversion to Christianity was gradual and marked by internal struggles, influenced by his mother Monica and his intellectual curiosity.
• 😀 A key moment in Augustine's conversion was when he heard a sermon in Milan and was urged to 'take and read' from Saint Paul's letters, which helped him find answers.
• 😀 As a religious leader, Augustine was primarily a pastor who sought to build a just, good, and happy life for his community, rather than focusing on high-ranking positions.
• 😀 Augustine's works, though unsystematic, address profound themes such as the nature of evil, human freedom, happiness, and the search for self-knowledge.
• 😀 Despite not being a systematic philosopher, Augustine is considered by some to be the first modern thinker because he explored philosophical questions through the lens of his Christian faith.
• 😀 *Confessions* is one of Augustine's most important works, often misinterpreted, but it is essentially a mature self-examination that reflects his inner turmoil and philosophical insights.

Q & A

Who is Silvia Maria de Contaldo and what are her academic credentials?

Silvia Maria de Contaldo is a philosophy professor at PUC Minas with a master's degree in literature. She completed her doctorate in medieval philosophy at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in 2011. Her doctoral research focused on Saint Augustine's 'Confessions' and led to a published book titled 'Cor Inquieto.'

What is the main focus of Silvia Maria de Contaldo's research?

Silvia Maria de Contaldo's main research focus is on Saint Augustine, particularly his work 'Confessions.' She explores Augustine's philosophical and theological reflections, focusing on his journey of conversion and his philosophical engagements with various religious and philosophical traditions.

What was Saint Augustine's historical context and how did it shape his philosophy?

Saint Augustine lived during a time of both external and internal crises, witnessing the collapse of the Roman Empire and the conflicts within Christianity. These crises, both political and religious, influenced his philosophical thought, making him a keen observer of the human condition and the need for inner peace and truth.

What philosophical and religious currents did Augustine engage with during his life?

Augustine engaged with several philosophical and religious currents, including Manichaeism, skepticism, Platonism, and Neoplatonism. His intellectual journey was characterized by a quest for answers, which led him to explore various schools of thought before his eventual conversion to Christianity.

How did Saint Augustine approach his conversion to Christianity?

Augustine's conversion was gradual and complex. Initially, he struggled with the Christian scriptures and his own philosophical beliefs. However, through introspection and the influence of figures like Plotinus, Augustine began to recognize the deeper truths within Christianity, culminating in his famous 'Take and read' experience, where he found inspiration in the letters of Saint Paul.

What role did Saint Augustine’s mother, Monica, play in his religious journey?

Monica, Augustine's mother, was a fervent Christian who strongly influenced his spiritual development. Although Augustine initially resisted her faith and Christian teachings, her dedication and prayers for his conversion were crucial in his eventual acceptance of Christianity.

What is the significance of Augustine's pastoral role in the church?

Augustine's leadership in the church was grounded in his pastoral mission to guide his congregation toward a good, just, and happy life. His focus was on practical Christian living rather than theological abstraction, and he sought to address real-world issues through his sermons and letters, making him a key figure in the development of Christian doctrine and pastoral care.

What are some key themes in Augustine’s works?

Key themes in Augustine's works include the nature of the self, the problem of evil, the quest for happiness, and the relationship between philosophy and faith. Augustine's writings engage with questions about freedom, order, and the nature of human existence, making his work relevant across different eras.

How does Augustine’s work remain modern in its relevance?

Augustine is considered one of the first modern thinkers because of his approach to philosophy, which blends deep self-examination with religious faith. His philosophical questions about identity, the problem of evil, and the search for happiness resonate with contemporary issues, making his works timeless and modern in their appeal.

What is the significance of Augustine's 'Confessions' and how is it often misinterpreted?

Augustine's 'Confessions' is a deeply personal and universal work, offering an introspective account of his spiritual journey. It is often misread as a story of a 'holy sinner,' but it is actually a therapeutic exercise in self-examination, where Augustine reflects on his life and his eventual return to faith.