THE EARLY PHILOSOPHY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE

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Without a doubt, St. Augustine is one of the most important Fathers of the early Church and one of the most influential Christian thinkers of all times.  In his early life Augustine was committed to a synthesis of classical philosophical ideas within the Framework of Christian thought. In many ways, he can be considered the last of the great thinkers of antiquity.  It wouldn't be long, however, before he began to realize that ultimate happiness was in fact out of our human control.
As you read, be sure that you are able to answer the following questions:   
  1. What was Augustine’s early life like in Carthage?  Who were the group of Heretical Christians that Augustine fell in with while he was in Carthage?  What were the beliefs of this group?  Who was the New Testament figure who altered St. Augustine’s understanding of the necessity of God’s grace for salvation and happiness?  (introduction)
  2. In The Happy Life Augustine argues that happiness is the possession of an “invulnerable good” (a good that cannot be taken away through chance or misfortune.  What does he conclude this good to be (The Happy Life). 
  3. What is the distinction that Augustine makes between “use” (uti) and “enjoyment”  (frui)?  Which things are to be enjoyed?  Which are to be used?  (Christine Doctrine I.3-4, 20-21).
  4. What is Augustine’s position on self-love and the love of one’s own body?  (Christian Doctrine I. 22-25).
  5. What does Augustine mean by the “right order of love”? (Christine Doctrine I.28-29)
  6. Why is there a difference between Augustine’s position on free will in Books 1-2 and Book 3 of On Free Choice of the Will?  (On Free Choice, Intro)
  7. What are the two senses of “evil” that Augustine discusses in Book I of On Free Choice?  What is the source of both types of evil?  (I.1)
If you think that you understand the basic ideas in the text, take the quiz for this unit. 
After taking the unit quiz, write your reflective essay for this unit.
When you're ready, join your fellow students in a discussion on the deeper issues in the text.