Augustines Concept of Politics Essay - 2417 Words

Augustines Concept of Politics For Augustine, political life is a necessary evil. Why is it evil and why is it necessary? How then, does his claim influence his political theory? Introduction It is probably prudent to begin by discussing some of the fundamental beliefs of St. Augustine in order to better tackle the question. We must remember that St. Augustine is first and foremost a theologian, and thus his beliefs are firmly rooted in the teachings of Christianity. He accepted the doctrine of the Bible, i.e. the world and everything in it was created by God. Men were initially living in relationship with God, but after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they `fell, and effectively condemned their genealogy with the†¦show more content†¦This is not only due to our limited ability of reasoning, but also due to our weak and distorted will that often overrides our reason. Since we are unable to live by perfect reasoning, we are unable to rationally perfect ourselves in a perfect historical city/state. Finally, Augustine states that peace and harmony are the foremost desires of the human heart; however, the `grip of destructive impulses and passions in the human heart prevents the establishment of such order. Furthermore, God is punishing Mans original sin by making human life in this world penal. Man is unable to achieve perfect peace, which can only be found in Augustines City of God, a divine city to be ruled by God after Jesus second coming. Augustines Interpretation of the State Augustine believes that the State exists as a consequence and a manifestation of sin. It is unlike the Aristotelian and Platonian definition of the state, which is naturally part of human life; or a natural forum for the development and expression of the human character. Augustine believes that it is in fact a contrived supervention upon the created order; it has been called into being by the fact that mans naturally sociable and co-operative disposition has been denatured and made selfish byShow MoreRelated Christianity According to St. Augustine and Machiavelli Essay1388 Words   |  6 Pages In St. Augustine’s book entitled Political Writings, one could see that Christianity plays a very important role in his view of politics. His opinion on the morality or lack of morality in politics, to me makes it more evident that Christianity persuades his views. Although it seems his writings have become quite well known and admired, not everyone fully shared his beliefs. Niccolo Ma chiavelli, for instance, seemed to believe in a government that was not driven by morality, but more by practicalityRead MoreLove Is The Beautiful And Sublime Love977 Words   |  4 Pagesthroughout the course of the semester, I was able to draw up my own concept of love. My concept of love includes that there are two different types of love and this idea is taken from Kant’s idea of love being beautiful and sublime and the fair sex and noble sex. The other author that presents two different types of love is Augustine, he presents the bodily and spiritual love and with these two concepts of love I was able to develop my own concept of love, that there are two different types one internal andRead MorePlato V. Augustine Essay1107 Words   |  5 PagesAfter reading both Plato’s Symposium and Saint Augustine’s Confessions, one can see how the latter holds certain ideas and concepts that are parallel to those found in the former. Despite the differences in time, me n are hindered from their pursuit of goodness, truth, etcetera, by similar, if not entirely identical, desires. That being said, of all of the speeches found in the Symposium, Augustine would connect most deeply to that of Alcibiades. Alcibiades is depicted as a prominent Athenian statesmanRead MoreSt. Augustine as the True Heir of Plato Essay1144 Words   |  5 PagesAristotle and St. Augustine have both been influenced by Plato. Their philosophy on morality, politics, and the purpose of life has been platonically influenced. St. Augustine is the true heir of Plato because he has taken Plato’s ideal state, and revealed the implications of the lives that the citizens of the earthly city lead, in the City of God. Plato’s state is an ideal state, that would not function in reality. St. Augustine has taken Plato’s notions, and have furthered the implications of livingRead MoreAugustine s View Of Slavery Essay2309 Words   |  10 PagesAugustine’s overall view of slavery in Book 19, of chapter 14, is controversial, because mankind was originally meant only to rule over non-rational creature. For the focused problem that arises from Augustine view is his concluding statement in chapter 14 . â€Å"The apostle therefore admonishes servants to be obedient to their master’s, and to serve them loyally and with good will [†¦] they can at least make their own slavery to some extent free† [944]. The entailing notion that as long as the individualRead MoreLiterary Masterpieces Matrix1186 Words   |  5 PagesLiteratures |Augustine’s confessions |Sir Gawain and the Green | |The Augustine is influenced| | |features, forgiveness, |Knight’s is written in |Both influenced by |by the Bible as well as | | |temptation, lust, |poem form using Old |Christianity, the |Neoplatonism. | | |redemption, confession |English meter |concepts of chivalry andRead MoreAugustine s View On Slavery Essay2229 Words   |  9 PagesAugustine’s overall view on slavery is controversial, given mankind was meant to rule over non-rational creature, when problematically prideful men enslaved individuals from conquests of war, or those that are weak. However, the main problem that arises is from Augustine condoning slavery in his statement. â€Å"The apostle therefore admonishes servants to be obedient to their masters, and to serve them loyally and with good will [†¦] they can at least make their own slavery to some extent free† [944]Read MoreAugustine s View Of Slavery Essay2268 Words   |  10 PagesAugustine’s overall view of slavery in Book 19 chapter 14 is controversial, given mankind was only meant to rule over non-rational creature, and problematically the possibility that prideful men could enslave individuals fr om conquests of war, or those that are weak. For the main problem that arises from Augustine view is his statement. â€Å"The apostle therefore admonishes servants to be obedient to their masters, and to serve them loyally and with good will [†¦] they can at least make their own slaveryRead MorePlato And Augustine Of Hippo Philosophy1769 Words   |  8 PagesAugustine was reading Hortensius by Cicero, a book urging the practice of philosophy, when he experienced a transformational shift from his love of love to a much more valuable love of God and Godly wisdom. God used Hortensius as the first piece of Augustine’s conversion. The second piece God used was a bishop named Ambrose. Ambrose struck Augustine with his friendly demeanor and preaching of true salvation. Ambrose’s preaching of salvation began to edge Augustine closer towards giving his life to GodRead MoreThe Just War Theory Essay1299 Words   |  6 PagesWhen just war is engaged, the military plans and actions must discriminate between combatants and non-combatants. Just War is God-sanctioned violence. The just war theory has a long history. Parts of the Bible hint at ethical behavior in war and concepts of just cause, announcing the justice of war by divine intervention. St. Augustine provided comments on morality of war from the Christian point of view (railing against the love of violence that war can engender) as did several critics in the