PHILOSOPHY - Augustine

Summary

This script explores Augustine of Hippo's critique of Roman values, particularly their optimism in earthly happiness and a just social order. Augustine, through 'The City of God,' challenges the idea of human perfectibility and societal justice, introducing the concept of original sin and the flawed nature of human desire for dominance. His philosophy offers a generous perspective on failure and poverty, advocating skepticism towards power and compassion for the less fortunate, independent of one's religious beliefs.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Augustine was a 4th-5th century Christian philosopher and bishop in Hippo, North Africa, who had a significant impact on his congregation despite the decline of the Roman Empire.
• 🔥 The Vandals, a Germanic tribe, showed respect for Augustine by sparing his cathedral and library when they destroyed Hippo.
• 🌏 Augustine's critiques of Roman values and outlook are relevant to modern Western societies, particularly the United States.
• 🤔 The Romans believed in earthly happiness and the power of humans to master themselves and control nature through technology and self-help practices.
• 💼 Romans also believed in a just social order, where meritocracy and wealth were seen as indicators of virtue and success.
• 🛑 Augustine vehemently disagreed with the Roman assumptions of human perfectibility and societal justice, as he outlined in 'The City of God'.
• 💔 He introduced the concept of original sin, suggesting that all humans inherit a sinful nature from Adam, leading to a desire to dominate and flawed reasoning.
• 😔 Augustine argued that humans are incapable of true love and happiness due to egoism, pride, and lust, challenging the idea of earthly bliss.
• 🌄 He proposed the idea of two cities: the flawed 'City of Men' and the ideal 'City of God', where true justice and virtue would reign.
• 🙏 Augustine's philosophy offers a sense of relief by acknowledging the inherent imperfections of human life and society, reducing the pressure to achieve perfection.
• 🤝 His teachings encourage skepticism towards power and generosity towards failure, emphasizing that true justice is found only in Christ's kingdom.

Q & A

Who was Augustine and what was his role in the town of Hippo?

Augustine was a Christian philosopher who lived during the 4th and 5th century A.D. He served as the bishop of Hippo in North Africa for 35 years, being popular and inspirational to his congregation.

What event marked the end of Augustine's life in Hippo?

In Augustine's last days, the Vandals, a Germanic tribe, attacked Hippo, burning the town and taking the young women. However, they left Augustine’s Cathedral and library untouched out of respect for him.

Why is Augustine relevant to non-Christians today?

Augustine is relevant to non-Christians today because of his critiques of Roman values and outlook, which have parallels with the modern West, particularly the United States.

What were the two main beliefs of the Romans that Augustine criticized?

The two main beliefs Augustine criticized were the Romans' faith in earthly happiness and the idea of a just social order, where success was seen as a reflection of virtue and merit.

What is the concept of 'Original Sin' as proposed by Augustine?

The concept of 'Original Sin' proposed by Augustine suggests that all humans are inherently sinful due to the sins of Adam, leading to a flawed nature that affects our ability to love and reason properly.

What does Augustine's term 'Libido Dominandi' refer to?

'Libido Dominandi' refers to the desire to dominate, which Augustine believed is evident in the brutal and merciless way humans treat each other, stemming from our sinful nature.

How did Augustine view the philosophers who sought happiness and bliss through their own efforts?

Augustine criticized such philosophers, calling their pursuit of happiness on earth and self-achieved bliss 'amazingly foolish,' given the inherent flaws of human nature.

What relief does Augustine's philosophy offer regarding the imperfections in human life?

Augustine's philosophy offers relief by suggesting that our lives are imperfect not by coincidence but by definition, as part of the human condition, which lessens the pressure and feelings of persecution or undue punishment.

What were the Emperor Constantine's views on earthly power and Christianity?

After Emperor Constantine's conversion to Christianity, he and the philosopher Eusebius proposed that earthly power was God's instrument for establishing Christianity on earth, implying that the powerful were blessed and righteous in God's eyes.

What is the distinction Augustine made between the 'City of Men' and the 'City of God'?

Augustine distinguished between the 'City of Men,' a flawed earthly society where money and power do not accurately reflect virtue, and the 'City of God,' a heavenly paradise where justice, virtue, and good reign supreme.

How does Augustine's philosophy influence our attitudes towards failure, poverty, and defeat?

Augustine's philosophy encourages a lack of moralism and snobbery, advocating skepticism towards power and generosity towards failure, poverty, and defeat, as true justice exists only in the City of God.