Book 1 Flashcards
(24 cards)
what are the three paradoxes
1) seeking to believe (which comes first, believing or seeking)
2) vessel (where can god enter him if god is everywhere and in everything already, makes no sesne to call something into him that is already everywehre)
3) how to describe god (language inadequate to describe god)
what is the problem of preexistence
does not know where he came from, does not know where life starts, can only attest to his infancy thorugh analogous comparisons and unreliable word of mouth
roman education and problems
- schooling system is for the wrong reasons (fame/glory)
- kids punished for playing games by adults also playing games
- homer glorified sins thorugh his tales of gods like zeus
- censored more for pronouncing human incorrectly than for hating another human
- no one is doing right if they are compelled against their wish
What is the first paradox discussed in the text?
Seeking to believe
It questions whether believing in God comes before seeking Him.
What does the concept of ‘vessel’ imply in relation to seeking God?
God is everywhere and in everything; it doesn’t make sense to call Him into oneself
This raises the question of whether something that exists can contain God.
Why is language considered inadequate to describe God?
God’s qualities are beyond human language, yet that is all we can use to describe Him.
What does Augustine not remember regarding his existence?
When he came to be
He refers to his parents as parents of flesh, indicating a divine influence in his existence.
How does Augustine learn about his infancy?
By watching other infants and hearing stories from family.
What question does Augustine pose about the period before being in his mother’s womb?
Only God can answer this question.
What does Augustine assert about the purity of infants?
None is pure from sin before God, not even an infant of one day upon earth.
What does Augustine say about children and sin?
Children can still sin; he mentions jealousy despite abundance.
How does Augustine view adolescence in relation to life?
He does not claim it as part of life because he lacks personal recollection.
What is Augustine’s stance on original sin?
Sin is inherent to humanity.
What critique does Augustine make about the Roman education system?
It is aimed at glory and riches rather than true learning.
What contradiction does Augustine highlight in adult behavior regarding games?
Adults punish children for playing games while they themselves also play.
What does Augustine believe about learning under compulsion?
He learned nothing unless compelled; acting against one’s will is not right.
How does Augustine feel about studying Greek?
He hated it; it was hard to learn and associated with punishments.
What does Augustine say about the glorification of bad acts in literature?
Homer glorified bad acts through tales of the gods.
What was the consequence of failing to drink during lessons?
It resulted in caning.
What does Augustine suggest about the approval of others?
Approval of other lost people is not an indicator of a good life; it should be God.
Fill in the blank: Augustine feels it is ______ to read about the sins of others without acknowledging one’s own.
silly
what is the paradox of seeking to believe
what is the vessel paradox
what is the paradox of describing god
