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Ancient Christian Writers #12
Against the Academics
Made up of three books that are the earliest extant works of St. Augustine, these works claim to give a reliable picture of the mind and way of life of one of the greatest figures of the West, precisely at the moment that was for him most critical and vital.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
10 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Augustine of Hippo
3,314 books2,045 followersEarly church father and philosopher Saint Augustine served from 396 as the bishop of Hippo in present-day Algeria and through such writings as the autobiographical
Confessions
in 397 and the voluminous
City of God
from 413 to 426 profoundly influenced Christianity, argued against Manichaeism and Donatism, and helped to establish the doctrine of original sin.
An Augustinian follows the principles and doctrines of Saint Augustine.
People also know Aurelius Augustinus in English of Regius (Annaba). From the Africa province of the Roman Empire, people generally consider this Latin theologian of the greatest thinkers of all times. He very developed the west. According to Jerome, a contemporary, Augustine renewed "the ancient Faith."
The Neo-Platonism of Plotinus afterward heavily weighed his years. After conversion and his baptism in 387, Augustine developed his own approach to theology and accommodated a variety of methods and different perspectives. He believed in the indispensable grace to human freedom and framed the concept of just war. When the Western Roman Empire started to disintegrate from the material earth, Augustine developed the concept of the distinct Catholic spirituality in a book of the same name. He thought the medieval worldview. Augustine closely identified with the community that worshiped the Trinity. The Catholics and the Anglican communion revere this preeminent doctor. Many Protestants, especially Calvinists, consider his due teaching on salvation and divine grace of the theology of the Reformation. The Eastern Orthodox also consider him. He carries the additional title of blessed. The Orthodox call him "Blessed Augustine" or "Saint Augustine the Blessed."
Santo Agostinho
An Augustinian follows the principles and doctrines of Saint Augustine.
People also know Aurelius Augustinus in English of Regius (Annaba). From the Africa province of the Roman Empire, people generally consider this Latin theologian of the greatest thinkers of all times. He very developed the west. According to Jerome, a contemporary, Augustine renewed "the ancient Faith."
The Neo-Platonism of Plotinus afterward heavily weighed his years. After conversion and his baptism in 387, Augustine developed his own approach to theology and accommodated a variety of methods and different perspectives. He believed in the indispensable grace to human freedom and framed the concept of just war. When the Western Roman Empire started to disintegrate from the material earth, Augustine developed the concept of the distinct Catholic spirituality in a book of the same name. He thought the medieval worldview. Augustine closely identified with the community that worshiped the Trinity. The Catholics and the Anglican communion revere this preeminent doctor. Many Protestants, especially Calvinists, consider his due teaching on salvation and divine grace of the theology of the Reformation. The Eastern Orthodox also consider him. He carries the additional title of blessed. The Orthodox call him "Blessed Augustine" or "Saint Augustine the Blessed."
Santo Agostinho
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 28, 2025
and so another semester of reading masterpieces of the greatest thinkers in short days and hours begins.
“therefore, i am determined not to depart ever, in any way, from the authority of Christ, for i find no authority more powerful. but what should be pursued by a most subtle reason- for I am now of such a mind that i impatiently long to apprehend what is true not only through believing, but also through understanding- i am confident in the meantime i shall find among the platonists, and that it won’t be incompatible with our sacred teachings.”
“therefore, i am determined not to depart ever, in any way, from the authority of Christ, for i find no authority more powerful. but what should be pursued by a most subtle reason- for I am now of such a mind that i impatiently long to apprehend what is true not only through believing, but also through understanding- i am confident in the meantime i shall find among the platonists, and that it won’t be incompatible with our sacred teachings.”
May 13, 2023
Brilliant. Augustine situates the skeptic’s challenge within his own spiritual framework of searching for both himself and God. He argues against Academic skepticism by showing that it is self-defeating, denies the possibility of there being a “wise man,” and ultimately discourages the pursuit of wisdom. He retains respect for the Academics through a sophisticated interpretation, claiming their work is esoteric.
But I find most interesting his claim that the incarnation is the solution to the epistemological despair we are in. How do we make sense of the various philosophical schools and contradictory claims? Somehow we must ascend above the sensible world to the intelligible world, but this seems difficult for any but the most remarkable to do. The incarnation is the miracle that the “authority of Divine Understanding” has itself been lowered “all the way down into the human body itself.” Thus, we are moved not just by his precepts but by his very own physical deeds to return to ourselves and to our God.
He remains confident that reason is entirely complementary with this claim received from Christian teaching. However, he thinks this reason is to be found in platonic philosophy. Regardless, I love the young Augustine’s eagerness to remove the skeptical barrier and show how Christ is true logos of God.
But I find most interesting his claim that the incarnation is the solution to the epistemological despair we are in. How do we make sense of the various philosophical schools and contradictory claims? Somehow we must ascend above the sensible world to the intelligible world, but this seems difficult for any but the most remarkable to do. The incarnation is the miracle that the “authority of Divine Understanding” has itself been lowered “all the way down into the human body itself.” Thus, we are moved not just by his precepts but by his very own physical deeds to return to ourselves and to our God.
He remains confident that reason is entirely complementary with this claim received from Christian teaching. However, he thinks this reason is to be found in platonic philosophy. Regardless, I love the young Augustine’s eagerness to remove the skeptical barrier and show how Christ is true logos of God.
November 8, 2020
Qué chabon que me cae bien San Agustín
Es la tercera vez q lo leo y recien ahora puedo decir que......... lo entendí
Es la tercera vez q lo leo y recien ahora puedo decir que......... lo entendí
July 29, 2025
Muy divertido y academico
February 19, 2024
Against the Academics was St Augustine's first published work, written while he was still a catechumen on retreat near Lake Como at Cassiciacum. Augustine wrote four dialogues (patterned on the Dialogues of Plato) in that period before his baptism: Against the Academics, the Happy Life, On Order and Solliloques. Dr Michael P Foley (see his general introduction to the Cassiciacum Dialogues) recommends that they should be read as a tetrarchy in the above order, as that was how Augustine intended.
In Against the Academics we see Augustine grapple with the Academic (relating to the ancient Academy founded by Plato) philosophy of which he had been a disciple of before his conversion to first Neoplatonism and then Christianity finally. The Academics had deviated from the true doctrine of Plato by adopting a type of skepticism, refusing to assent to any proposition due to believing that truth could never be perceived as it was always mixed in with error. Most of the dialogue is spent disproving these two Academic doctrines.
This work showcases the early Augustine the philosopher before his ordination and his deep study of Sacred Scripture, before even his baptism by St Ambrose. He deeply engages with his former intellectual master Cicero, the great Latin rhetorician (Augustine had been a professor of rhetoric) and philosopher. Cicero had written a work called the Academica explicating the Academic philosophy Cicero subscribed to, it is the most alluded to work in the dialogue. The other major influence that comes through is the Neoplatonic philosophy of Plotinus and Porphyry. The dialogue showcases Augustine's intellectual conversion journey that he would later immortalise in his Confessions. He had to overcome his own skepticism to assent to Jesus Christ.
In Against the Academics we see Augustine grapple with the Academic (relating to the ancient Academy founded by Plato) philosophy of which he had been a disciple of before his conversion to first Neoplatonism and then Christianity finally. The Academics had deviated from the true doctrine of Plato by adopting a type of skepticism, refusing to assent to any proposition due to believing that truth could never be perceived as it was always mixed in with error. Most of the dialogue is spent disproving these two Academic doctrines.
This work showcases the early Augustine the philosopher before his ordination and his deep study of Sacred Scripture, before even his baptism by St Ambrose. He deeply engages with his former intellectual master Cicero, the great Latin rhetorician (Augustine had been a professor of rhetoric) and philosopher. Cicero had written a work called the Academica explicating the Academic philosophy Cicero subscribed to, it is the most alluded to work in the dialogue. The other major influence that comes through is the Neoplatonic philosophy of Plotinus and Porphyry. The dialogue showcases Augustine's intellectual conversion journey that he would later immortalise in his Confessions. He had to overcome his own skepticism to assent to Jesus Christ.
May 9, 2017
Terminei de ler: "Contra os Academicos by Agostinho, Santo".
March 12, 2024
Esse foi o primeiro livro de Agostinho após sua conversão. A controvérsia do diálogo se dá sobre os novos acadêmicos, escola de Arcesilau (315-240 a.C): o homem não pode alcançar conhecimento seguro sobre a verdade, pois só conhece o provável do verdadeiro, o verossímil. Para Agostinho, o sábio percebe e conhece a sabedoria por meio da autoridade (fé em Cristo) e razão (mundo das ideias).
O livro é, em vários momentos, arrastado e até cansativo de se ler. Além disso, a influência de Platão afasta Agostinho de um pensamento fundamentalmente cristão que integra fé e razão.
O livro é, em vários momentos, arrastado e até cansativo de se ler. Além disso, a influência de Platão afasta Agostinho de um pensamento fundamentalmente cristão que integra fé e razão.
February 12, 2021
Le iba a poner dos, pero vi un vídeo que me lo explicó y pues ya 3. Es un texto difícil, aunque su presentación en forma de dialogo podría facilitar las cosas para algunos. Preferí el libro III. Es una obra maestra de la argumentación, sobre todo en su crítica hacia el escepticismo.
July 9, 2023
curso de filosofía medieval
November 23, 2022
Piger furiatusque romanulus qui non solum graecam linguam non potuit capire sed etiam argumentis rationem praebere. Si in uno tantum authore confidis, ut Augustinus in Cicerone, tua ratiotinatio vana et inepta vertitur. Non enim diceret academicos nihil approbare si Sextum legeret (qui scripsit: "Οἱ δὲ λέγοντες ὅτι ἀναιροῦσι τὰ φαινόμενα οἱ σκεπτικοὶ ἀνήκοοί μοι δοκοῦσιν εἶναι τῶν παρ' ἡμῖν λεγομένων", Πυῤῥώνειοι ὑποτυπώσεις). Hic quoque ostenditur debilitas eius διανοίας rudi modo paratae nam definitiones suae valde circulares sunt (vg. sapiens est qui sapientiam habet; sapientia est id quod a sapiens habetur). Eius tandem dialogi Platonis minime sunt similes, quia multum odium eis est et coactio. "hoc uero nihil ad me attinet" ait Augustinus "si autem aliud quiddam est [sapientia], sapientiam illam scit sapiens, ista contemnit".
November 30, 2021
Este livreto é um tanto complicado de ler, porém instrutivo e divertido. É a transcrição de um debate entre Santo Agostinho e alguns de seus amigos sobre os "acadêmicos", que pressupõe-se que já saibamos quem são, mas dá pra imaginá-los ao discorrer sobre o texto. As duas primeiras partes são mais divertidas e relatam mais a disposição dos debatedores do que propriamente o conteúdo. Entretanto, na terceira e última parte, os debatedores dão a palavra para Agostinho discursar seu raciocínio e desmontar as teorias dos acadêmicos do "sábio que não conhece a verdade".
Para apreciar completamente essa obra, precisarei retornar a ela no futuro, especialmente após conhecer mais sobre Cícero, que é bastante citado no texto.
Para apreciar completamente essa obra, precisarei retornar a ela no futuro, especialmente após conhecer mais sobre Cícero, que é bastante citado no texto.
November 16, 2020
What a surprise this was! St Augustine's Cassiacum Dialogues (4 vols) are accessible, unjustly neglected, beautifully intelligent and human dialogues (and more natural-sounding than any translation of Plato I've read!). Michael P. Foley deserves some sort of prize for this neatly presented first volume (the second is available and the other two are due to be published in early 2021), not just for the translation but for the perceptive notes and engaging commentary. Makes me want to read everything by St Augustine.
December 29, 2020
A most interesting historical record of a set of dialogues, aiming to establish whether one can know the “truth” or never be able to know it (as established by the skeptics of the “New Academia” founded by Arcesilau (315–240 B.C.)). Saint Augustine (354–430) mediates the dialogue between Licencio and Trigesio, and develops his arguments with rationality, grace and depth, against the Academics, in opposition to Alipio, who defends them. A difficult reading at points, this excellent record makes evident the decline of our contemporary thinkers. 5/5
June 25, 2019
Con esta obra inicié mis estudios, desordenados e indigestos, en filosofía.
Si bien no reparé tanto en el texto de latín que venía en las páginas del reverso, es un auténtico tesoro tener esta edición bilingüe. Si te consideras alguien que duda que la verdad pueda ser conocida, este texto ciertamente será para tí. En un mundo donde el relativismo impera, obras como ésta son más necesarias hoy que nunca.
Si bien no reparé tanto en el texto de latín que venía en las páginas del reverso, es un auténtico tesoro tener esta edición bilingüe. Si te consideras alguien que duda que la verdad pueda ser conocida, este texto ciertamente será para tí. En un mundo donde el relativismo impera, obras como ésta son más necesarias hoy que nunca.
August 31, 2014
En esta fantástica obra, Agustín de Hipona nos habla de la verdad, de lo verosímil y lo probable, de la percepción, de la sabiduría y del sabio. Y todo ello explicado con un maravilloso estilo. Sin embargo esta obra solo la recomendaría para estudiantes de filosofía o personas que ya estén algo versadas en estos temas.
January 20, 2018
A edição “vozes de bolso” apesar de ter uma ótima tradução carece de notas de rodapé que expliquem o contexto da época. Os diálogos fazem incessantes referências a estudiosos e outras obras antigas e usam termos com acepção muito específica, que precisavam de maiores esclarecimentos
Mas os debates são excelentes, bem estruturados, o tema empolga e é difícil parar de ler
Mas os debates são excelentes, bem estruturados, o tema empolga e é difícil parar de ler
October 28, 2020
Augustine's 'Confessions' and his earliest philosophical writings, represented here, are his most accessible extant works. Although his pieces are against pagan Platonism they represent the thought world which he and many other educated persons, pagan and Christian, inhabited at the time.
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February 9, 2015BR60 .A35 no. 12
February 26, 2018
me quedé esperando más cuando en la introducción afirma que conocemos la verdad s través del verbo encarnado ,o de la supuesta filosofía más profunda de Platón
April 10, 2021
Foley's commentary is wonderful, as enlightening and illuminating as St Augustine himself.
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May 3, 2025me and the lads when we chat
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews