His Theory of Knowledge: Augustine is probably

one of the best loved Saints outside Catholicism

By Retreat Director
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Born in Tagaste in todays Algeria,
354, he received a Christian
upbringing from Monica his
mother (also a saint). But he was
not baptized until he was an
adult. He studied rhetoric and
philosophy and became a lawyer,
scholar and teacher later in Rome
and Milan. He also lived for 15
years with a mistress, by whom
he had a much-loved son. After
prolonged internal conict,
however, he was converted
through the inuence of St.
Ambrose. Returning from Italy to
Africa in 388, he was ordained a
priest in 391. He became bishop
of Hippo in 396 and died in 430.
Au g u s t i n e s a p p r o a c h t o
knowledge - consider problems
of the Christian Religion in his
time, & understand these through
his experiences in life. He saw
the solutions to his problems to
be knowledge, placed in his
mind by Wisdom as the gift of
God. Allowing that God created
the universe, it would be quite
reasonable to expect that God
incorporated within Creation a
method for intelligent individuals
to communicate with him.
SAINTAUGUSTINEFOCUS
Lord Jesus, our
Saviour, let us
come to you.
Our hearts are
cold; Lord, warm
them with your
seless love.
Our hearts are
sinful; cleanse
them with your
precious blood.
Our hearts are
weak; strengthen
them with our
joyous Spirit.
Our hearts are
empty; ll them
with your divine
presence. Lord
Jesus, our hearts
are yours; possess
them always and
only for yourself.
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AUGUSTINES PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be
holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is
holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Amen
The solution is a truthful idea placed in the mind by
God. God is understood in this context as Wisdom,
or the Holy Spirit. The form may be extended to:
Problem > Correct problem understanding > The
Holy Spirit > Solution = Knowledge. The problem
as correctly understood is translated into a solution
in the form of truthful ideas, the Holy Spirit. The
Holy Spirit gives all knowledge, but only in
response to requisitions for problem solutions. This
claim appears in Christian scripture. Augustines
claim that we learn directly from God the Interior
Master, is in accord with Scriptures. The Gospel of
John - states the teaching of Jesus that the Holy
Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will
teach you everything (John 14:26). God the Holy
Spirit teaches the faithful about God through
intellectual enlightenment. the holy Spirit teaches
all knowledge. With each problem he solved his
understanding of the truth was expanded and
improved. In this model of intellect, expanding
understanding of the truth is the subjective
philosophy committed to its own truthful
development follows the path of faith seeking
understanding. God teaches every individual who
wants to know the truth. Incorrect problem
understandings will however produce false
solutions, which agrees with common experience.
Error is better than confusion, and false solutions
may be seen as a stage on the path to truth, since
their shortcomings will become apparent in later
experience.
Problem - Solution = Knowledge The problem
produces a solution seen as knowledge.
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There are long standing problems
of what is and is not knowledge
and of the method by which
knowl edge i s, or can be,
achieved.
Th i s i n a b i l i t y t o d e n e
knowledge has led to disputes
with some radical critics counter
claiming e.g. that science is a
kind of myth. For Augustine
Fa i t h & Re a s o n a r e n o t
ps y chol og i c a l l y s e pa r a t e
activities that can be exercised
independently. Faith & Reason
are necessary el ement s of
knowledge.
Knowledge is not to be sought
for its own sake; instead, man
should seek knowledge so that
through it he may attain true
happiness. The view is not that
knowl edge wi l l make t he
attainment of happiness easier
but that the knowledge of
absolute truth is a necessary
condition for happiness.
The path of knowledge leads
upwards. Augustine conceived of
God as both the source of human
existence and the goal of human
knowledge. He distinguishes two
kinds of knowledge, that acquired
through the ratio superior he
called wisdom sapientia, and
that acquired through the lower
reason was called science or
knowledge scientia. Scientia
u s e s t h e m e t h o d o f
investigation, but wisdom uses
intuition.
Scientia is sought primarily
because the lack of knowledge
frustrates our efforts to do one
thing or another, e.g. cure cancer.
Th e e n d o f s a p i e n t i a i s
contemplation. The ultimate goal
of wisdom is godliness, the
worship of God which alone can
bring true blessedness.
O thou, who art the
light of the minds that
know thee, the life of
the souls that love thee,
and the strength of the
wills that serve thee;
help us so to know thee
that we may truly love
thee; so to love thee
that we may fully serve
thee, whom to serve is
perfect freedom.
Augustine
Watch, dear Lord, with
those who wake, or
watch, or weep tonight,
and let your angels
protect those who sleep.
Tend the sick. Refresh
the weary. Sustain the
dying. Calm the
suffering. Pity the
distressed. We ask this
for the sake of your
love.
Augustine