Augustine's teachings on human nature Flashcards
Describe human nature according to the content.
Human nature is the set of dispositions that humans are born with, representing the way the mind operates naturally, without cultural influence or socialization.
Explain Augustine’s view on original sin.
Augustine believed that human nature is corrupted by original sin, which he attributed to the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
How did Augustine arrive at his theory of original sin?
Augustine contemplated the origin of sin by observing himself and others, concluding that humans have a natural predisposition to sin, which raised questions about God’s creation.
What is ‘the fall’ in Augustine’s theory?
‘The fall’ refers to the event when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, leading to their banishment from the Garden of Eden and the corruption of human nature.
Define the consequences of the fall according to Augustine.
The consequences of the fall include pain in childbirth for Eve and the necessity for Adam to toil for food, along with the corruption of human nature leading to an irresistible desire to sin.
Explain the concept of ‘massa damnata’ as per Augustine.
Augustine claimed that due to original sin, humanity is considered ‘massa damnata’, meaning the mass of the damned, as all humans inherit this corrupted nature.
What does Augustine mean by ‘seminally present in the loins of Adam’?
Augustine suggested that all humans were ‘seminally present in the loins of Adam’, meaning that all future generations were inherently part of Adam’s nature and thus share in the original sin.
Describe the two types of love according to Augustine.
Augustine identified two types of love: Cupiditas, which is the love of earthly, impermanent things and selfishness, and Caritas, which is a higher, selfless love.
How did Augustine view the relationship between rationality and sexuality before the fall?
Augustine believed that before the fall, rationality had perfect control over bodies, and sexual acts were purely rational, not driven by desire.
What role does the Genesis story play in Augustine’s theory?
Augustine looked to the Genesis story as an explanation for the origin of sin and the subsequent corruption of human nature.
Describe the concept of Caritas in relation to Agape.
Caritas is the Latin version of the Greek word Agape, meaning love of others due to virtue as an expression of God’s will.
Explain the role of concupiscence in original sin according to Augustine.
Concupiscence is a defining feature of original sin, where bodily desire overpowers reason, particularly evident in sexual desire.
How did Augustine view the relationship between the mind and sexual desire?
Augustine believed that sexual organs can be active when the mind does not want them to be and inactive when the mind desires them.
Summarize the scientific perspective on the Fall as presented in the content.
Geneticists argue that genetic diversity indicates humanity could not have descended from two people, suggesting evolution over creation, making the story of Adam and Eve unscientific.
Define Augustine’s homunculus theory in the context of reproduction.
Augustine’s homunculus theory posits that there are little people inside men, leading him to claim that all future generations are ‘in the loins of the father’.
How can Augustine’s views on original sin still be defended despite his errors?
Augustine’s observations of human nature and society, such as his personal experiences, can still support the idea that human nature is corrupted by original sin.
What did G. K. Chesterton and R. Niebuhr contribute to the discussion of original sin?
G. K. Chesterton agreed that evidence for original sin can be seen in everyday life, while R. Niebuhr described it as the one ‘empirically verifiable’ Christian doctrine.
Describe Pelagius’ argument against Augustine’s view of human nature.
Pelagius argued that Augustine’s observations reflect societal influences rather than inherent human nature, suggesting that corruption comes from upbringing rather than original sin.
Explain Pelagius’ view on the habit of doing wrong.
Pelagius believed that the long habit of doing wrong, which starts in childhood, corrupts individuals over time, making it seem like a natural inclination.
How does contemporary evidence support Pelagius’ argument?
Contemporary historical and sociological evidence suggests that humans have progressed since Augustine’s time, supporting Pelagius’ view on the influence of upbringing.
What did Martin Luther King say about the moral universe?
Martin Luther King stated, ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice’, indicating a belief in moral progress over time.
Describe the relationship between human reason and violence according to Steven Pinker.
Steven Pinker attributes the decrease in violence to the power of human reason, suggesting that the average human life is more secure now than at any prior point in history.
Explain Augustine’s view on original sin and its impact on human behavior.
Augustine believed that original sin corrupts humanity to the extent that genuine faith in Jesus is only possible with God’s help, implying that human behavior has morally improved despite this corruption.
Define exclusivism in the context of Augustine’s theology.
Augustine’s exclusivism posits that due to original sin, genuine faith in Jesus can only be achieved through God’s grace, which predestines some individuals to be among the ‘elect’ who will be saved.
