Augustine on Human Nature

• What are the two versions of the summary notes for Augustine on Human Nature?

  A*-A grade and B-C grade summary notes
• What is the significance of Adam and Eve's disobedience according to Augustine?


  • Caused a corruption in human nature called original sin
  • Resulted in all future humans being born with irresistible temptation to sin
• What is concupiscence according to Augustine?

  It is when bodily/sinful desires take over and overwhelm reason
• How does original sin affect the balance between cupiditas and caritas?

  • Causes an imbalance
  • Too much selfish love of ourselves and earthly possessions compared to selfless love of others
• What example did Augustine give to illustrate the corruption of human nature?


  Stealing a pear as a child, not to eat but just for the pleasure of sinning
• What does Augustine believe about free will in relation to original sin?

  He believes we still have free will even though we are born with irresistible temptation to sin
• How does Augustine explain the relationship between concupiscence and sin?


  • Concupiscence takes over, leading to helpless sinning
  • We still choose to sin, as our will is not controlled by something external
• What is the modern scientific counter to Augustine's view on the fall and original sin?

  Modern science shows that the fall didn’t happen and that humanity evolved
• What does genetic diversity suggest about the story of Adam and Eve?


  It suggests that it’s not possible for all of humanity to have come from just two people
• What is one argument defending original sin against modern scientific criticism?

  • Original sin can still be empirically observed
  • C K Chesterton argued you can see original sin ‘in the street’
• What does Stephen Pinker's study on violence suggest about original sin?


  It shows that humanity has improved in its rate of violence and crime, contradicting the idea of original sin
• How does Pelagius explain evil actions compared to Augustine's view?


  Pelagius argues that evil actions are better explained by social conditioning rather than original sin
• What does Augustine believe about grace and salvation?


  He believes that only through God's grace can humans be saved and get to heaven
• What is Augustine's view on predestination?


  • God grants grace before we are born
  • Either predestined for heaven or damned to hell due to original sin
• What is Pelagius's argument against the fairness of original sin?


  He argues it is unfair to condemn people to hell for the actions of their ancestors
• What is a critique of Augustine's view on moral responsibility?


  • It suggests an indefensible view of moral responsibility
  • Inconsistent with the concept of an all-loving God
• What does Pelagius argue about the commands of God in the Bible?


  He argues that it makes no sense for God to command us to be good if we were unable to be good
• How does Pelagius interpret Augustine's view on God's knowledge?

  • Pelagius suggests Augustine implies God is ignorant
  • If God commands good actions but we cannot do them, God would be ‘unmindful’ of our cursed state
• What is Augustine's response to Pelagius regarding the ability to do good?


  Augustine responds that we can do good only if granted God's grace
• How does Augustine's view of Jesus's moral teachings differ from Pelagius's perspective?

  • Augustine suggests teachings are suited for the predestined minority
  • Pelagius argues that Jesus's teachings are for all, as seen in the Sermon on the Mount
• What does Jesus say about his mission in Luke 5:31-32?

  He says he came to call sinners to repentance, not the righteous
• How does Pelagius's critique of Augustine relate to the delivery of moral teachings in the Bible?

  • Pelagius argues that Augustine's view contradicts how moral teachings are delivered
  • Jesus's teachings imply that sinners can be helped, contradicting the idea of predestination for hell