THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE
Victor Gollancz, 1961. First Edition. Hardcover with Dust Jacket. First American Edition, First Printing. 12mo, sewn binding in publisher's tan buckram stamped in blue and gilt. Owner's name to title page, exceedingly clean and sharp, a few dust spots to the top edge, otherwise a crisp, tight copy; DJ with a small nick and creasing to spine head, crisp and bright otherwise, price intact, now wrapped in mylar. 'With his usual profound insight he disengages the central philosophical ideas from the vast body of Augustine's writings. Augustinism is shown to be a Christian philosophy different from Thomism. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, the two greatest theologians in the history of the Catholic Church, had the same purpose. They both set out to understand the contents of their faith as far as this was pos-sible, but they used different philosophies to accomplish this end. Augustine followed Plato as far as the Christian faith allowed; Aquinas borrowed his philosophical technique from Aristotle. Although Aquinas used a new approach to philosophy and theology, he did not repudiate the truth in Augustinism. He was a true disciple of Augustine, so that a knowledge of Augus-tinism is essential to an appreciation of Thomism. 'Professor Gilson stresses the intimate connection between Augustine's life and thought. The introduction traces the main stages of his search for wisdom and happiness. Part One gives a detailed account of the soul's journey to God by way of faith and knowledge. Part Two is devoted to the part played by the will in this journey. Augustine's views on morality, liberty and free choice, sin and grace, and Christian society are submitted to rigorous examination. The third and final part deals with creation and time, and the traces God has left of Himself in the universe. 'Etienne Gilson finds that love is the unifying theme of Augustinism; God, Who is Love, has created man in His image, and the restless yearning of man's heart will not be stilled until it rests in Him. An excellent bibliography gives the best editions of the works of St. Augustine and the most important books and articles on his philosophy.' (From Dust Jacket). NEAR FINE / NEAR FINE. Item #512168
Price: $100.00