Saint Augustine was one of the most outstanding and remarkable philosophers with a powerful impact on the society of ancient times. His observation of many different subjects and outlooks shaped the concepts of love, faith, and morals that people accepted and shared. The provided reading observes the life story of Augustine that helps to create an image of his views on the world and his way of thinking.
Saint Augustine was an inquisitive man that had a passion for learning and studying, constantly questioning everything and trying to find the truth. Although there is no objective truth, he managed to decide for himself what is more applicable for him to believe in. He believed that God stood above all the creations, for He made them, and as a supreme being is beyond time and place.
After God, Augustine emphasizes the soul, but unlike the Creator, the soul changes and grows through times but is still immortal. Although the soul is something eternal and non-materialistic, it can exist within the borders of the body. He considered that all the physical senses and pleasures that people experience are there to tempt them; therefore, humans should resist them and appeal to the soul in the first place (Augustine 102). In the discussion of evil, Augustine thought that God could not create something terrible and destructive, so the occasions of life and sin are entirely human creations. Moreover, he explains that God gave people free will, and evil is just the consequence of their desires.
In conclusion, the reading has given an overview of Saint Augustine’s life path and the shaping of his beliefs. Throughout his life, he developed some fundamental beliefs that determined Augustine’s outlook and believed in the context of the Christian religion. Considering the philosopher’s point of view, he emphasizes the crucial role of God, the importance of the soul over the body’s desires, and people’s impact on the world due to free will.
Work Cited
Augustine. “Confessions.” Gordon College Faculty. Web.