The Other Happy Life
The Political Dimensions to St. Augustine's Cassiciacum Dialogues
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6398693 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Michael P Foley (0000-0001-5032-4140, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2003 |
| Volume | 65 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 165-183 |
| Publication date | 2003-01-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Review of Politics (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0034-6705 • E-ISSN: 1748-6858 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0034670500049925 |
| OpenAlex | W2063261753 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 5 |
Though they are often overlooked or studied for different reasons, St. Augustine's Cassiciacum dialogues have a subtle yet important political dimension. Much of Augustine's conversation with his interlocutors implicitly hinges on matters concerning political philosophy, as does the very dialogue format Augustine chooses. Yet on the other hand, the focal points of the dialogues are essentially nonpolitical, and some of Augustine's statements can be construed as hostile to civic life and to any thoughtful reflection on the best political order. This essay argues that these apparent inconsistencies are not signs of a contradictory attitude but reveal a three-pronged strategy by Augustine to forge a properly Christian attitude towards political life, a strategy that involves (1) debunking patriotic fervor, (2) inflaming the love of truth, and( 3) re-engaging thecivitasfrom a higher perspective
Aesthetics · Art · Conversation · Dimension (graph theory · Environmental ethics · Epistemology · Linguistics · Order (exchange · Perspective (graphical · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Visual arts · Augustinian Studies and Theology · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · Law · Medieval Philosophy and Theology · Philosophy
| Citations per year | 0.09 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2015 - 2015 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |