St Augustine

Gabriel Christian V. Alava Michael Jonathan V. Alava

University of the Philippines Manila

February 9, 2015

Historical context

His thoughts

On society

On politics

On sociology

Critical analysis

Impact and relevance

Integrating lecture

Section 1

Historical context

I Born November 13, 354 in Thagaste to Patricius and StMonica; Died August 28, 430 in Hippo

I Studied Latin in Madaurus and Carthage

I Had a 13-year affair with a Carthaginian, who bore his sonAdeodatus

I Taught at Carthage, Rome, and Milan

I Converted with his son by St Ambrose, bishop of Milan

I Left for Hippo with his mother and son but returned alone

I Started monastic life after; ordained in 391 and consecratedbishop in 395.

Section 2

His thoughts

Subsection 1

On society

States

Origin

The state has been created by God as a punitive and equilibrantinstrument for the sinner that is mankind.

Nature

There is no ideal state because no state can emulate true justice,which emanates from God alone.

Dynamics

No state can fully exact justice and, consequently, no state canclaim full legitimacy.

The two cities

Origin

There is the city of God and the city of earth.

Nature

The former consists of those who seek God in living venerable livesand the latter consists of those who desire the temporal goods ofthe earth.

Dynamics

The citizens of the former treat this life as what itistemporaland, as such, they do not attach themselves to it,unlike the citizens of the latter.

Subsection 2

On politics

Rulers

Origin

Rulers derive their authority from God just as he has created thestate that they rule.

Nature

Rulers are Gods ministers, through which he keeps order andjustice in the world.

Dynamics

Rulers, being vested with power by God, oblige their subjects toobedience regardless of their reason, or lack thereof, unless theycontradict divine law.

Subsection 3

On sociology

Why wars happen

Origin

We all came from Adam and, as such, we all partake of hissin.

Nature

We have a desire for power, authority, vanity, and othervices.

Dynamics

We, as a result, try to conquer each other in search of thesetemporal desires.

Just wars

Origin

The righteous live in the imperfect earthly city.

Nature

The righteous cannot avoid wars with the malevolent and, as such,are justified in fighting them.

Dynamics

The righteous are obliged to subject themselves to the greaterpolitical powers that govern them, even to the point of war.

Justice in war

Origin

War is an inevitable human condition that the righteous have tolive with.

Nature

However, the righteous, being righteous, have the duty to at leastminimize wars and the damage they cause.

Dynamics

The righteous may only wage war for the right reasons, such asself-defense, retrieval of illicitly acquired possessions, rectifying theenemies mistakes, etc. Moreover, war must be waged with therestoration in peace in mind as endpoint.

Peace

Origin

There are two cities, each one with its own reasons for peace.There are three kinds of peace, which all belong to the people ofGod.

Nature

Peace between the citizens of the earthly city is selfish and ismeant only to acquire their desires. Unadulterate peace will neverbe achieved in this life.

Dynamics

Peace will be nothing but periods of inactivity between wars, themanifestation of mans violent nature. However, in order toprevent their own destruction, they will also desire for peace.

Section 3

Critical analysis

Section 4

Impact and relevance

War

Justifying the use of force

I During the Afghan war and associated US military efforts inthe Middle East

I During martial law supposedly to quell communist insurgencyand destabilizing political figures

I During the Estrada administration to suppress radical Musliminsurgency in Mindanao

Section 5

Integrating lecture

Area of Concern Plato Aristotle St AugustineSociety (ideal state) Commonwealth Republic Does not exist on earthPolitics (ruler) Philosopher king Middle class Existent political structuresSociology (citizens action) Obedience

Mattox, J. M. (n.d.). Augustine: Political and SocialPhilosophy. In Internet Encyclopedia of the Internet. RetrievedFebruary 8, 2015, from http://www.iep.utm.edu/aug-poso/

Historical contextHis thoughtsOn societyOn politicsOn sociology

Critical analysisImpact and relevanceIntegrating lecture