THE PHILOSOPHY OF ST. AUGUSTINE TO THE LIFE AND PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH OF SOCRATES

The philosophy of St. Augustine to the life and philosophical approach of Socrates

The philosophy of St. Augustine to the life and philosophical approach of Socrates

Introduction

The life of St. Augustine began in 354 AD, the son of a Roman official in North Africa. When he was 19, he read an essay by Cicero on the meaning of “truth,” and it was then and there that Augustine dedicated himself to pursuing such an intriguing, yet illusive notion. During his philosophical journey, Augustine experienced a great deal of pain and suffering in his life. He went through phases of severe depression and debilitating grief. He witnessed things that just couldn't be reconciled with theological doctrine. It was this irreconcilable tradeoff between truth and evil that kept Augustine jumping from philosophy to philosophy for over a decade. At the age of 31, Augustine had a supernatural experience “as if a light of relief from all anxiety flooded into my heart.” It was then that “all the shadows of doubt were dispelled” and he accepted God as part of his life.

The philosophy of St. Augustine to the life and philosophical approach of Socrates

Socrates is said to have been the first who directed the entire effort of philosophy to the correction and regulation of manners, all who went before him having expended their greatest efforts in the investigation of physical, that is, natural phenomena. However, it seems to me that it cannot be certainly discovered whether Socrates did this because he was wearied of obscure and uncertain things, and so wished to direct his mind to the discovery of something manifest and certain, which was necessary in order to the obtaining of a blessed life- that one great object toward which the labour, ...