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What makes us human? Augustine on interiority, exteriority and the self

Authors :
John Anthony Berry
Source :
Scientia et Fides, Vol 5, Iss 2, Pp 87-106 (2017)
Publication Year :
2017
Publisher :
Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika, 2017.

Abstract

The composition of the human person is a central issue for Augustine. He addresses it in a philosophico-theological way; particularly in The Soliloquies and in The Confessions. What is at stake here is his exposition of “what” constitutes a person’s being human. This paper refers to some of his key ideas in this regard and attempts to identify and establish what this great thinker understands by specific terminology: the soul, the mind, and the self. His hunger for knowledge of the self helps his readers to ponder on the shifting emphasis between interiority and exteriority as well as a person’s consciousness and selfhood. Augustine wrestles with the concept of the soul, but at no point does he minimise the role of the intellect. After examining four definitions given by Augustine of the human person, this paper attempts to clarify all underpinnings related to this subject, as to be able to answer the topic in question.

Details

Language :
English, Spanish; Castilian, French, Polish
ISSN :
23007648 and 23535636
Volume :
5
Issue :
2
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Scientia et Fides
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.0a1a7f644de04ecca8c018dbd5cf9a0d
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.12775/SetF.2017.026