Augustine on Human Nathre Flashcards
What was human will before the fall
Harmony, is as expressed in complete obedience of Adam and Eve to god
Body will and reason are in complete co operation
What did Augustine argue about Adam and Eve
Married and that they were mutually equal and sex is secondary to friendship
Sex without lust
Human will after the fall
Pride caused the fall
Humans eat fruit to desire to be like god
Cupiditas has been separated from caritas
Free will ruins
What is the divided will
After the fall the soul had become divided. Weakened by desires
Sin overcomes humans
How can original sin be seen in world
Loss of control of lust et spontaneous erections etc
Libido is a sign that uncontrolled body mocks the weak and divided will
What does Augustine believe about original sin
No one is truly virtuous and all humans have it
What is double death in context of the fall
The death caused by Adams rebellious which kills relationship between a humans and god (embarrassment of naked)
Second is the death of the mortal state of every human and gods punishment
How is original sin transmitted
Through sexaual intercourse, exception of Jesus as Mary was a virgin
How did Augustines view on free will change
Young me: argued that humans had free will and agreed with Plato that living virtuous was possible
Old me: no longer accepted this sex drive, ignorance and death punishments for human rebelllion
What is Augustine teaching on grace
If we put in more effort we can achieve sunnum Bonnum the greatest good
Wounds are healed through gods grace eg Jesus without there would be no possibility for rememption
Purpose of faith is to recognise the failings of human nature and to place ones trust in God love and grace
How may some interpret Augustines ideas today
Metaphor: that fall and redemption are part of persons life and journey spiritual life
What does Dawkins believe COUNTER
Whole notion of fall and original sin not only contrary to biology but also absurd and dangerous
Absurd idea to imagine corruption of human race relies on two individuals
Obsession with guilt violence and repressed sexuality
What does Steven Pinker argue (COUNTER)
Original sin was replaced by humanitarian principle - humans get on better when each person takes into accounts of others
Humans can negotiate and make life better without gods grace
West become more established (women, tyrants)
What does Niebuhr argue
Unfashionable to talk about sin in society which leads to mistakes of society eg war
No action good and leads to more suffering when society act in groups
