Lesson 1ª


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christianity and philosophy of St. Augustine

Foreword: Predominance of the Religious Problem

After III BC, with the political descent and gradual dismemberment of the empire of Alexander the Great, a general economic crisis was present all over the Hellenistic world. Generally, any economic crisis leads to a consequent crisis in moral values; man tries to find a solution to earthly problems in the heavens. In a philosophical level, this is translated as a return to religious explanations and to a higher interest in spiritual problems. At least at first, this is precisely what would happen with the arrival of Christianity; little by little, the road is paved for religion to substitute philosophy completely.

Roman Stoicism

When Greece became a part of the Roman Empire, a great portion of its cultural manifestations were absorbed and assimilated by the conquerors. Therefore, the characteristics of ‘Roman Stoicism’ are similar to those of 'Greek Stoicism', except for a higher emphasis to spiritual matters.

Some important authors were Seneca (3-65 AD), Epictetus (died in 125 AD) and, most importantly, Marcus Aurelius.

Marcus Aurelius (121-180)

As you probably know, this author was a Roman Emperor. In his work, we notice a line of thought which would latter become a constant throughout Christian thinking: an antithesis between FLESH and SOUL, between the WORLD and GOD. This antithesis had been previously noticed in every Greek author with a 'platonic' tendency.

According to Marcus Aurelius, the soul finds 'darkness and imprisonment' in the body/flesh, and only through our death can the divine 'eternity and light' be born. Similar to the young Aristotle (and, of course, in ancient eastern religions), life is simply a preparation for death, and ‘philosophy’ becomes a doctrine of soul redemption.

Alexandrian Jews

They are thinkers of jewish origins. However, since they lived in Alexandria (Egypt), they were in contact with Hellenistic culture, which was centred in that city. Their philosophy is a curious blend of Greek doctrines (specially, Plato) with thoughts and concepts originating from Israeli religion (The BIBLE). Their influence is evident on the first Christian thinkers.

Philo of Alexandria (30 BC-50 AD)

According to Philo, the mosaic inspiration in Greek philosophers is evident. In other words, for him, Plato and the others must have been inspired by MOSES and his 'Pentateuch' to be able to think as he did.

As a matter of fact, the characteristics that Greek philosophers attribute to the Being are exactly the same as those found in the Sacred Scriptures as attributes of God:

1. The being ("I am who I am")

2. Immutability and impassivity

3. A self-sufficient and absolute fullness of perfection and beatitude

4. Infinite Goodness and eternal beneficial activity.

Of course, Philo was only partially correct. It is clear that there are certain similarities between the Bible and Greek philosophy. However, this is not due to the fact that the latter was inspired directly in the first one; both ways of thinking are based on the same sources: Mesopotamian and Egyptian religions.

The only aspect of Philo of Alexandria which deserves our interest is his version of the DIVINE TRINITY. This is the first attempt of finding an equilibrium between Biblical Thoughts and Greek Philosophy. He was inspired by Pythagorean sources (the number 3 is the number of the spirit).

St. Augustine would later use this 'trinity' as a base, as well as its Neoplatonic version, to develop his concept of 'The Holy Trinity' (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit):

Neopythagoreans and Platonic Pythagoreans

Remains of mystic-Greek philosophy:

Apollonius of Tyana (40-97, ‘Pagan Christ’, character to whom the majority of miracles, etc, attributed to Jesus are probably inspired on), Numenius of Apamea (160-180), Nicomachus of Gerasa (150), Hermes Trismegistus ( III century), Plutarch of Chaeronea (50-125), etc.