Augustines teaching on Human nature

Question 1

Based on which biblical chapters

Answer 1

Romans 7 and Genesis 3

Question 2

The will is driven by two types of love:

Answer 2

Cupiditas (self love - impermanent, selfish, lust) and Caritas (generous love - of others)

Question 3

Before the fall….

Answer 3

Humans enjoyed harmony in relationship with God, eachover and the natural world. The will is united; cupiditas and caritas were in harmony

Question 4

Concordia

Answer 4

Augustine valued friendship as the highest expression if human existence

Question 5

The fall

Answer 5

is a pivotal moment in history describing the first sin of Adam and Eve. The fall turns around the God given order seen in Eden and cupiditas separates from Caritas

Question 6

After the fall

Answer 6

cupiditas is now in control. The will is ‘half wounded’ and ‘divided’

Question 7

Original Sin

Answer 7

Human nature now becomes tainted and corrupt. Original sin contaminates everyone from birth. Like an inherited disease

Question 8

concupiscence

Answer 8

Humans now struggle with concupiscence (this means sexual lust but is also used to refer to uncontrolled desires, lusts, cravings for food, power and money)

Question 9

How is original sin passed on?

Answer 9

through the sexual act. Since every act of sex is tainted with concupiscence, every human is born ‘in sin’.

Question 10

Free will

Answer 10

Humans have free will to choose between good and evil. But it is like a faulty scale, which are weighted - there is always a greater tendency to choose evil. No one is born good or can truly be good

Question 11

society

Answer 11

due to original sin, there is a lack of stability and corruption in all human societies.

Question 12

Grace

Answer 12

is Gods free and undeserved love for humanity, shown by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross

Question 13

God’s generous love

Answer 13

can heal the damaged will and restore the human relationships with God through Grace alone

Question 14

Genesis can be interpreted as a myth and has not go to be taken literally

Answer 14

genesis 3 can be interpreted symbolically - the story contains truth about humans and their relationships with God and the world; a symbolic moment when a person realises their situation and begins their spiritual journey

Question 15

evolutionary biology

Answer 15

the fall goes against evolutionary biology

Question 16

Moral argument

Answer 16

it seems unfair that God is punishing all humans for the mistakes of their ancestors

Question 17

Omniscience

Answer 17

did God know humans would give into their temptation so easily

Question 18

Pelagius

Answer 18

argues human nature is not flawed. Sin must be freely chosen than inherited. Humans are only responsible for their own sin are are not tainted with sin from Adam and Eve

Question 19

Rousseau

Answer 19

‘man is born free and everywhere he is in chains’ - He thought humans were naturally generous and only act otherwise depending on the situation. Humans purpose was to break the chains by learning to appreciate one another

Question 20

Steven Pinker

Answer 20

the humanitarian principle says that humans get on better when they take into account the interests of others

Question 21

John Paul Satre

Answer 21

‘there is no human nature’. All humans have the capacity to make their own essence through the choices they make

Question 22

T.Hobbes

Answer 22

‘the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short’. Humans are naturally selfish and animal like; but using reason to cooperate with others makes life tolerable

Question 23

Reinhold Niebuhr

Answer 23

no actions can ever be entirely good. The inner will is defeated by egoism and self interest. Human ego must encounter the divine

Question 24

The second Vatican council

Answer 24

talks about human nature being split, constantly struggling between good and evil and incapable of saving itself. Emphasises the importance of Christ in bringing freedom and renewal