Augustine (Questions 1-5) Flashcards
- Augustine distinguishes between “use” (uti) and “enjoyment” (frui). What does it mean to use something, for Augustine? What does it mean to enjoy something? Give some examples of using and enjoying. What things does Augustine think we should use, and what should we enjoy? Why?
Augustine distinguishes between “use” (uti) and “enjoyment” (frui) in the context of one’s relationship with worldly goods. Using something, for Augustine, means employing it as a means to achieve a higher end, often involving temporal and utilitarian purposes. Enjoying, on the other hand, implies a deeper, contemplative, and affectionate connection with something for its own sake, contributing to one’s ultimate happiness. Augustine suggests that we should use temporal things in the world but reserve our enjoyment for eternal and spiritual goods, emphasizing the transient nature of earthly possessions.
- Augustine thinks that all virtue is love. Explain what he means by this. What sort of love constitutes virtue (or to put it another way, what must our loves be like if we are going to be virtuous)? What is vice, for Augustine? In what ways can our loves fall short of virtue?
Augustine posits that all virtue is rooted in love. By this, he means that virtuous actions are motivated by a love directed toward the right objects and in the right manner. Virtuous love, for Augustine, is a selfless, God-centered love that aligns with the divine order. Vice, conversely, involves misdirected or excessive loves, where one’s affections fall short of the divine ideal, leading to moral deficiencies.
- What is the connection between love of God and of other people, for Augustine? In what ways does loving other people require or involve God?
Augustine sees a profound connection between the love of God and the love of other people. Loving other people involves recognizing and appreciating the divine presence within them, as all human beings are created in the image of God. Love for others requires or involves God because genuine love is an expression of divine love flowing through individuals.
- How does Augustine think of temperance/moderation, fortitude/courage, justice, and prudence/wisdom as aspects of love?
Augustine integrates temperance, fortitude, justice, and prudence as aspects of love. Temperance and fortitude involve maintaining a balanced and courageous love in the face of desires and challenges. Justice is an expression of love manifested in fair and harmonious relationships. Prudence is the wisdom that guides the right application of love in various situations, according to Augustine.
- Augustine’s ethics marks a major shift in ethics, especially in the emphasis on benevolence, equality, and universality. Explain how these three emphases show up in Augustine’s ethics, and how this marks a shift from his predecessors.
Augustine’s ethics marks a shift by emphasizing benevolence, equality, and universality. Benevolence is central, promoting a selfless concern for others. Equality is evident in the recognition of the divine image in all individuals. Universality reflects the application of love to all aspects of life, transcending specific circumstances or relationships. This contrasts with predecessors who may have focused more on virtue as excellence or the pursuit of the good life.
