I. Define the following terms in adequate detail using resources from the Internet:
Liberal Arts:
Liberal arts refer to a broad range of subjects that were considered essential for a free person’s education in ancient Greece and Rome. These subjects include grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. The liberal arts aim to develop intellectual abilities, critical thinking skills, and a well-rounded education.
Neoplatonism:
Neoplatonism is a philosophical and religious movement that emerged in the 3rd century AD, building upon the teachings of Plato. It seeks to reconcile Platonic philosophy with elements of mysticism, monotheism, and other religious traditions. Neoplatonists believe in the existence of a transcendent reality or The One, which is the ultimate source of all being and knowledge.
Important cities of Augustine’s career life with details:
Thagaste: Augustine’s birthplace, located in Roman North Africa (present-day Algeria).
Carthage: A major city in Roman Africa, where Augustine pursued his education and was exposed to various philosophical and cultural influences.
Milan: Augustine moved to Milan in Italy, where he served as a professor of rhetoric and later encountered Ambrose, the influential bishop whose teachings had a profound impact on him.
Hippo Regius: After his conversion to Christianity, Augustine became the bishop of Hippo Regius (present-day Annaba, Algeria) and spent the remainder of his life there.
Major writings of Augustine—name at least five:
“Confessions”: Augustine’s autobiographical work that explores his journey toward faith and provides profound insights into his personal struggles and spiritual growth.
“City of God”: A monumental work that addresses theological and philosophical questions, drawing a stark contrast between the City of God and the earthly City of Man.
“On Christian Doctrine”: A guide for interpreting and understanding Scripture, providing principles for effective preaching and teaching.
“On the Trinity”: A treatise exploring the nature of the Holy Trinity and the relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
“The Enchiridion”: A concise handbook summarizing Christian doctrine and addressing various theological topics.
Manichaeism:
Manichaeism was a dualistic religious belief system founded by Mani in the 3rd century AD. It posited a cosmic struggle between light and darkness, good and evil. Manichaeans believed in the existence of two opposing forces: the spiritual realm of light and goodness and the material realm of darkness and evil. Augustine was involved with Manichaeism before his conversion to Christianity.
From the Text:
The paradox of prayer that causes Augustine to wonder is the concept that God already knows what humans need before they ask him. Augustine ponders why one should pray if God already possesses this knowledge.
The “shame and suffering” Augustine speaks of in Book 1.9 refers to his past immoral actions and his attachment to worldly desires that caused him internal turmoil and spiritual unrest.
Augustine recalls the denial of baptism to him as a “catechumen” when he was ill as an infant. This denial haunted him as he believed that baptism was necessary for salvation.
An example of Augustine squandering his “brains on foolish delusions” in Book 1.17 is when he became obsessed with astrology and sought answers about his destiny through horoscopes.
Augustine compares rules of grammar to the rules of God in Book 1.18 by emphasizing that individuals are disciplined to learn grammar rules to communicate effectively. Similarly, he argues that individuals should be even more disciplined in following God’s moral teachings to achieve true happiness.
Augustine regrets that his family did not provide him with education at age 16. He laments that they did not recognize the importance of intellectual pursuits and instead focused on his physical appearance.
Augustine was studying rhetoric in Carthage. Rhetoric was an essential discipline in ancient Rome, focusing on persuasive speech and effective communication.
The result of Monica meeting Ambrose was that Monica found solace in Ambrose’s teachings, which aligned with her Christian beliefs. This encounter strengthened Monica’s faith and provided her with hope for Augustine’s conversion.
Hortensius was a book written by Cicero, a Roman philosopher, orator, and statesman. This book inflamed Augustine’s desire for wisdom and truth, urging him to search for philosophical answers to life’s questions.
The sorcerer offered Augustine a solution to resolve his internal struggles by communicating with the spirits of the dead. However, Augustine declined this offer as he began to distance himself from superstitious beliefs.
Augustine reflects on astrology in Book IV.3, realizing its limitations in predicting human actions accurately. He resolves to put his trust in God rather than seeking answers through astrology.
The “lost book” that Augustine tries to recall in Book IV.13 is a philosophical treatise he wrote during his time as a teacher in Carthage but lost due to his negligence. He wrote it because he was fascinated by philosophy and wanted to share his thoughts on various subjects.
Augustine calls Faustus, the Manichaean bishop, “a great decoy of the devil” because Faustus possessed great eloquence but lacked substantial knowledge or understanding of key philosophical or theological matters.
In their personal meeting, Ambrose’s eloquence impressed Augustine deeply. Ambrose’s ability to interpret Scripture effectively played a significant role in Augustine’s journey toward Christianity.
The beggar of Milan served as a lesson for Augustine about humility and contentment with simple pleasures. The beggar’s joyful demeanor despite poverty challenged Augustine’s materialistic worldview.
Alypius was a close friend of Augustine who played an important role in his life. Alypius is mentioned extensively in the narrative due to their shared experiences, discussions, and mutual support throughout their spiritual journeys.
The “sing-song voice of a child” that Augustine heard in Book VIII.12 was a voice repeating “Take up and read.” He interpreted this as a divine sign prompting him to read Scripture, which ultimately led to his conversion.
In Book IX.4, Augustine refers to God rescuing his tongue as He had already rescued his heart. Here, he speaks of his ability to articulate his newfound faith after struggling with doubt and uncertainty.
Ambrose recommended that Augustine read the book of Isaiah from the Scriptures. As Augustine read Isaiah’s prophecies about Christ, he was deeply moved and inspired by its profound wisdom.
“De Magistro” is a dialogue written by Augustine exploring the nature of teaching and learning. In this work, he discusses various philosophical concepts related to knowledge acquisition and the role of language in communication.
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