18th Annual Student Research Conference
Social Science
Will and the Fallen Man: Toward an Understanding of the Will in the Writing of Augustine of Hippo
Dennis L. Trinkle II
Dr. Patricia Burton, Faculty Mentor
The fundamental reality of man’s unruly nature plagues us at a philosophical and personal level. For Augustine of Hippo this brokenness is inextricable from sin: both original and subsequent. In his thought, this sin is intimately related to man’s will, both as it exists now and as he saw its relation with the original design and eventual restitution to that design. I will argue that is necessary to understand this relation of will and fallen humans to have a complete understanding of Augustine’s views on sin, human nature, and free will. To this end I will primarily examine his writings on these ideas in de Libero Arbitrio and de Civitate Dei. These reflections not only lay a groundwork for further probing of Augustine as a thinker but open an opportunity for us to think deeply on the nature and condition of man.
Keywords:
Topic(s):Philosophy & Religion
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 58-3
Location: VH 1232
Time: 4:15