Augustine on Human Nature

The Fall

Genesis 3 event where Adam and Eve disobeyed God, introducing sin into the world.

Original Sin

The inherited state of moral corruption all humans are born with due to the Fall.

Concupiscence

Uncontrollable physical desire/lust dominating spiritual will; transmits Original Sin according to Augustine.

Caritas

Selfless, spiritual love directed toward God and neighbor, characterizing humanity before the Fall.

Cupiditas

Selfish, possessive love of material, fleeting things and self-gratification after the Fall.

Grace (Sola Gratia)

God's unmerited favor and assistance; the only way broken humans can achieve salvation.

Akrasia

Weakness of will; knowing what is morally right but acting against better judgment.

Post-Lapsarian

The state of humanity after the Fall, characterized by corruption and divided will.

Pre-Lapsarian

The state of humanity before the Fall, characterized by harmony and innocence.

Summum Bonum

The 'Highest Good'; ultimate human goal found only in eternal happiness with God.

Human Will Before the Fall

Complete harmony between reason and desire; body and soul worked together flawlessly.

Human Will After the Fall

Fundamentally broken and divided; lower bodily desires constantly pull against reason.

Augustine's Famous Prayer on Chastity

"Lord, make me chaste, but not yet."

Seminal Presence

Belief that all future generations were physically present in Adam, inheriting his guilt.

Double Death

The dual punishment of the Fall: spiritual death (lost relationship with God) and physical death.

Mass of Damnation (Massa Peccati)

Humanity as a 'lump of sin'; entirely incapable of choosing good or saving themselves.

Implication of Massa Peccati on Salvation

Salvation is entirely a free, unearned gift of God's Grace to the Elect.

Implication of Massa Peccati on Politics

Society requires a harsh, authoritarian government and strict laws to control human sin.

Psychological Argument for Augustine

Accurately reflects the daily human experience of akrasia (knowing right but doing wrong).

Historical Argument for Augustine

The persistence of war, greed, and oppression supports a broken human nature.

Evolutionary Argument against Augustine

Darwinism shows gradual evolution; there was no singular Adam and Eve or historical Fall.

Moral Argument against Augustine

It seems unjust for a loving God to punish billions for an ancestor's sin.