Aurelius Augustine - theologian, philosopher, enlightener. He made a significant contribution to the formation of medieval philosophy and culture. The work of St. Augustine is associated with a period of schism in the Christian church into Orthodox and Catholic. The memory of Aurelius Augustine is equally celebrated by representatives of Western and Eastern Christianity.
Biography of Aurelius Augustine
The theologian and philosopher Aurelius Augustine was born in 354 in the family of a provincial official. The mother of the philosopher - the religious Christian Monica - had a great influence on him. Augustine's father professed idolatry. The birthplace of Aurelius is the small African city of Tagast, located on the territory of modern Algeria. The family had three children, but only the future philosopher could get an education. The provincial official did not possess enormous wealth, and in order to give children the opportunity to study, parents had to borrow money.
Aurelius Avgut studied the initial knowledge of grammar and arithmetic at home. Then he was educated in Carthage on a course of rhetoric. After graduating from rhetorical schools, Augustine remains to teach this course in Carthage. Despite the deeply religious Christian Monica, Aurelius himself led an idle life, but his mother's instructions helped him return to the right path.
During his life in Carthage, Aurelius studied the works of Cicero, which aroused his desire to engage in philosophy. During this period, Augustine writes his first philosophical book. However, this work of the philosopher did not reach our days. The first reading of Christian doctrine did not arouse the interest of the future philosopher. Augustine did not agree with the primitive language and thinking of the Scriptures, so he switched to a specific perception and interpretation of the Bible. At the age of 28, Aurelius left for Rome and became a supporter of the Manichaean teachings. After meeting with the spiritual guide of the Manichaeans, Augustine refused this teaching and began to incline to skepticism.
Augustine changed his religious view after meeting with the monk Ambrose, who was able to change the ideas and interests of the young scientist and incline him to Christianity. In 387, Aurelius was baptized and converted to the Christian faith.
Philosophical Doctrine of St. Augustine
Of particular importance is the work of the famous philosopher. His philosophical teaching developed under the influence of many different factors. A huge role in the formation of Augustine as a scientist and theologian was played by his fascination with various religious views. He wrote many works, both religious and secular philosophical.
The philosophy of Aurelius evolved under the influence of his mother Monica, so his teaching is a synthesis of philosophy, religion and divine predestination. After the adoption of Christianity, in the writings of Aurelius there were many negative responses about Manichaeism, skepticism. Augustine writes a philosophical treatise in which he criticizes academics and opposes heretics.
The scientist's philosophy is based on several principles. He talks about the interaction of reason and faith, and their influence on the formation of man. As a true theologian, Aurelius spoke of the fact that only the mutual influence of reason and faith can lead a person to the city of God. At the same time, each believer must choose his own path. Reliance on pure reason can help one, and faith based on external authority can help others.
Another principle of Augustine's philosophy is the perception of God not as an absolute impersonal spirit, but as a person. This perception of God drew a line between divine predestination and fate.
The most famous work of the philosopher is considered the treatise "On the City of God", in which thirty books set forth the principles of religious and philosophical teachings of St. Augustine.
At the beginning of this work, Aurelius talks about the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire, that the Christian world was mired in vices and sin, and therefore could not exist in the future. Five volumes set forth the doctrine of the contradiction of the Christian and pagan faiths, while the rest of the books talk about the relationship between secular and spiritual power. The whole world, according to Augustine, is divided into two parts: the city of God and the city of Earth. In the first live the righteous, acting on the basis of moral ethical standards. They live according to divine commandments. In another world people live who are oriented to earthly morality, therefore they live in vice and with love for themselves. Aurelius Augustine described this world as a constant struggle between good and evil.
