Augustine Is Too Pessimistic Essay Flashcards
(6 cards)
What’s in my intro
Augustines books - confessions , de trinitate
Significant- helps us understand human physcology and why we do things. But also gods plan and salvation
What’s my first point
Ignores human goodness and moral progress. can lead to a negative and self-loathing worldview, which can be damaging to individuals and society as a whole.
Rousseau argued In their natural state, humans are essentially generous creatures and only act otherwise when situation and circumstance cause them to. He remarked, “Man in born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” Eg Nazi soldiers
Hobbes disagreed - natural state humans are not co-operative but selfish and brutish (animal-like). He said, “The life of man, solitary, poor, brutish, and short.”
What’s the second point
not simply a negative assessment of human beings, but rather a complex understanding of the human condition. believed that humans are capable of great evil, but also of great good.
Recognised moral progress
Peter Brown notes, “Augustine’s view of human nature is not simply pessimistic, but it is an extremely nuanced view of the human condition”
Is rather an invitation to humility and reliance on God’s grace.
John Cavadini notes, “Augustine’s view of human nature is not pessimistic, but realistic. It invites us to see ourselves as we truly are, and to seek salvation through the grace of God”
What’s my 4th point
Recognition of human imperfection can lead to more moral progress – so not too pessimistic
Pelagius – agrees we dont have the capacity for moral perfection and so rather than being naively optimistic and setting out in an impossible quest it would be wiser to listen to Augustine and rely on the grace of God.
However pessimistic as If humans can’t reach total perfection then people may believe there is no point in trying to be good as the damage is already done.
What’s my 3rd point
too pessimistic- Human nature is not predetermined- . Jean-Paul Sartre would argue that there is no human nature. Sartre remarks that “existence precedes essence” – we are not created with a pre-determined nature but are born and determine our own essence or nature through the choices we make.
Humans are ‘condemned to be free’ and are responsible for our choices.
John Locke would agree born with a ‘blank slate’ known in Latin as ‘tabula rasa’
What’s my 5th point
Views on the human nature of sex too pessimistic
It can be a healthy part of being a human being and not all humans use it badly
All societies put restrictions on sex so perhaps Augustine is drawing attention to the dangers of uncontrolled sex
