Augustine had a double set of needs. One was intellectual. This appears in his attempts to figure out why there is evil in the world. Watch out for the word “evil” in the text. We tend to restrict this word to human choices that intend to create serious harm to others. Unfortunately, English speaking philosophers have a history of translating the Latin word “malum,” which simply means “bad,” as “evil.” So the evil at issue here is whatever is bad for humans, whether intended by some evil person or not. Thus the various sufferings caused by nature itself – disease, disability, disasters, and death – are all part of what is “evil.” We could simplify Augustine’s question by asking simply why there is so much suffering in life. This is, of course, the same question that had haunted the Buddha as much as nine hundred years earlier. Facing suffering is part of what it means to be human.
Describe the analysis Augustine offers in Bk 7, paragraphs xi through xvi (in Chs 7 – 11) about whether anything is really evil. A key idea in this section is that if anything exists at all, to that extent it is good because all existence comes from God who is totally good. Explain whether you agree with him that evil is really a kind of non-existence. This answer should require a fairly full paragraph.
Augustine’s eventual Christian culture differed from much of pagan Roman culture, which sought to enjoy life as much as possible. Use Bk 8 Ch. 6 & Ch. 7, and Ch. 11 paragraph 26, to describe in a paragraph how Augustine thought about having an attraction to sex. Does he treat it as natural, good, and healthy? Explain why he and Cyprian (class handout) would probably get along, citing some specifics from each of them. Do you agree with them? Explain.
Augustine’s other great need was to find a higher purpose for his life. Like many philosophers of the time he idealized a life of contemplation of higher things. He hoped at a certain point to join with like-minded friends and retreat to a villa somewhere and spend their hours in deep conversation and thought. He eventually ended up with a quasi-monastic life as a bishop, with people around him to talk about God and living a holy life.
So that we can discuss this issue in class, write out a description of what you would consider the ideal life. Is there something you think worth seeking beyond having a decent job and income and a good family and/or set of friends? Is there something higher to which you aspire, or which ought to guide your life in some way? To ask this differently, what is the highest purpose of human life (what does it mean to be human)?
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