St. Augustine IV: Moral Theory and the State

Question 1

How does he understand love of God and grace

Answer 1

The love of God is the mover of Grace

Question 2

What is evil

Answer 2

It is not positive in the sense of created things. It is not a thing.

“That which falls away from essence and tends to non-being. It tends to make that which is ceases to be”. De Moribus Ecclessiae 2.2.2.

Question 3

What has God to do with happiness

Answer 3

Ethic is Eudaemonistic ethic, but happiness is only realized in God. A loving Union and possession of God, aided by Grace

Question 4

Is the State the city of Babylon

Answer 4

NO. The two Cities are moral and spiritual ideas. A clergy, lacking the love of God belongs to the Earthly City, vice versa.

True justice is not realized in any earthly State

Question 5

What is society to St. Augustine

Answer 5

Multitude of rational creatures associated in a common agreement as to the things which it loves