Key Concepts from Augustine's Philosophy

These flashcards capture essential terms and concepts from Augustine's philosophical and theological writings.

What is Dualism?

Dualism is the philosophical concept that posits the existence of two fundamental and often opposing principles, typically mind and matter.

What is Neo-Platonism?

Neo-Platonism is a philosophical system that builds upon Platonic ideas, emphasizing the existence of a single source of all reality (the One) and the process of emanation.

What does 'To Hen' mean in Neo-Platonism?

'To Hen' translates to 'The One,' referring to the ultimate principle of unity in Neo-Platonism.

What is Nous in Neo-Platonism?

Nous is the divine intellect or mind in Neo-Platonism, which emanates from the One and contains the ideas or forms.

What does Psyche refer to in Neo-Platonism?

Psyche refers to the soul in Neo-Platonism, which emanates from Nous and animates living beings.

What is Emanation in Neo-Platonism?

Emanation is the process by which all things flow from the One, proceeding through Nous and Psyche.

What is Henosis?

Henosis is the mystical union with the divine, aimed at achieving a return to the One in Neo-Platonism.

What is Allegorical interpretation?

Allegorical interpretation is a method of biblical exegesis that seeks deeper, symbolic meanings behind the literal text.

What is Pre-destination?

Pre-destination is the doctrine that God has eternally determined who will be saved and who will be damned.

What is Pelagianism?

Pelagianism is the belief that original sin did not completely corrupt human nature, and that humans can choose good without divine grace.

What is semi-Pelagianism?

Semi-Pelagianism is a view that asserts that humans can initiate their own salvation by making the first move towards God, but ultimately need God's grace.

What is Original Sin?

Original Sin refers to the fallen state of human nature inherited from Adam and Eve, which affects all humanity.

What is Concupiscence?

Concupiscence is the inclination to sin that arises from original sin.

What is Massa Damnata?

Massa Damnata refers to the concept of the mass of the damned, emphasizing the idea of all humanity's sinful nature.

What is Massa perditionis?

Massa perditionis refers to the concept of the mass of perdition, which suggests that humans, due to their sinfulness, are destined for perdition without divine intervention.

What is Civitas?

Civitas refers to a city or community, often used in theological contexts to describe the City of God versus the City of Man.

What is Eschatology?

Eschatology is the study of the end times, focusing on the final events in the history of the world and the ultimate fate of humanity.

What is justification by faith?

Justification by faith is the theological concept that individuals are made righteous before God solely through faith in Jesus Christ.

What are prevenient, sufficient, effective, and co-operating grace?

Prevenient grace: Grace that precedes human decision, enabling an individual to respond to God.

Sufficient grace: Grace that is adequate for salvation but requires human cooperation.

Effective grace: Grace that accomplishes its divine purpose in the individual.

Co-operating grace: Grace that works alongside human effort in the process of salvation.

What is the City of God?

The City of God is a theological concept referring to the community of believers who live according to God's will, often contrasted with earthly cities.

What is the City of Man?

The City of Man refers to the secular world governed by human interests, often characterized by sin and opposition to God's purposes.