The "De Libero Arbitrio" of Saint Augustine and The Vision of Truth
Abstract
Saint Augustine stands at the threshold of Antiquity and the dawn of the Middle Ages. He was a man of the greatest genius influ- encing the thought not only of Scholasticism, but also, of Modern Philosophy. Fifteen centuries have passed since his departure from this world, and yet, the voice of this Bishop, of the small seaport town of Hippo in northern Africa, is still heard and respected not only in Philosophy but also in Theology. He is not only the Philosopher of Interior Illumination, but also, he is the Doctor Gratiae. He combines in himself the most profound speculation with the deepest mysticism and with a wide variety of talents in many fields. We approach the consideration of a few main points taken from the core of his doctrine not in a spirit of criticism, but rather, in a spirit of docility and of understanding, as is fitting in the presence of a great teacher, not seeking to destroy but to construct, considering not only the single text in question but looking at it in the light of other texts which have a bearing upon its proper comprehension, keeping always in mind that we must try to see disputed points in his doctrine as Augustine saw them and not as we see them and, therefore, avoiding the error of projecting our principles into his philosophy and of judg- ing him in the light of them and not in the light of those principles which he actually used.
Subject Area
Philosophy|Ancient history|Medieval history|Ethics
Recommended Citation
Dennen, Gerard F, "The "De Libero Arbitrio" of Saint Augustine and The Vision of Truth" (1950). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI28621844.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI28621844
