Augustine
This major work constitutes a significant attempt to provide a detailed and accurate account of the character and effects of Augustine's thought as a whole. It describes the transformation of Greco-Roman philosophy into the version that was to become the most influential in the history of Western thought. Augustine weighed some of the major themes of classical philosophy and ancient culture against the truth he found in the Bible and Catholic tradition, and reformulated these in Christian dress.
- An exciting and comprehensive reappraisal of the single most influential figure (after Christ) in the history of Christianity
- The author is a leading philosopher of antiquity, and the writer of nine previous books
- Shows how Augustine's thought has relevance to us today
Reviews & endorsements
"It should be read carefully by every student of classical and medieval philosophy, while it should revive interest, one hopes, in a figure too often neglected in contemporary philosophical discussions." Timothy B. Noone, Review of Metaphysics
"Augustine: Ancient Thought Baptized is likely to be reckoned by readers to rank as Rist's best book so far: the sheer magnitude of the subject and contemporaneity of some of the issues have evoked a book to match." Times Literary Supplement
"...this volume is a welcome contribution by a learned philosopher to our understanding of Augustine as the principal figure in the transmission and transformation of classical philosophical thought to the West." Theological Studies
"A vigorous, accurate description of the intellectual world of Augustine whose thought was mostly developed in the context of controversies....A challenging, profound study of Augustine's thought which should be read carefully by every student of the history of western philosophy and of early Christian thought." Religious Studies Review
"...continues to be a subject of lively debate." Studies in Religion
"John M. Rist's impressive book fills a deep gap in our knowledge of the most influential thinker in Western history after Plato....The reader develops great respect for the author as well as the subject of this book, which should become a classic." The Journal of Religion
"This work is likely to become the best starting point to grasp the entirety of Augustine's world view." Worldtrade
Product details
September 1996Paperback
9780521589529
356 pages
229 × 154 × 20 mm
0.485kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- List of abbreviations
- Works of Augustine
- Notes on chronology
- Bibliographical note
- 1. Approaching Augustine
- 2. Words, signs and things
- 3. Certainty, belief and understanding
- 4. Soul, body and personal identity
- 5. Will, love and right action
- 6. Individuals, social institutions and political life
- 7. Evil, justice and divine omnipotence
- 8. Augustinus redivivus
- Appendix 1: Porphyry's account of the sentence in the De Magistro
- Apendix 2: Traducianism, creationism and the transmission of original sin
- Appendix 3: Augustine and Julian: aspects of the debate about sexual concupiscentia
- Indexes.