Augustine's Philosophy on Action and Contemplation
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Which of the following statements accurately reflects Augustine's view on the relationship between action and contemplation?

  • Action and contemplation are separate and distinct, with no connection to each other.
  • Action and contemplation are mutually exclusive, each serving a different purpose in the spiritual journey.
  • Action is necessary only in the early stages of spiritual growth, while contemplation dominates later stages.
  • Contemplation is the ultimate goal of all action, providing fulfillment and perfection. (correct)

According to Augustine, which of the following best represents 'vita activa'?

  • Focused contemplation on the nature of God and the mysteries of the universe.
  • The pursuit of knowledge and understanding of divine truths.
  • The active engagement in the world, including works of faith and moral living. (correct)
  • A life dedicated to the pursuit of personal salvation and heavenly rewards.

What does Augustine's interpretation of Lia and Rachel symbolize in relation to spiritual growth?

  • The conflict between earthly desires and spiritual aspirations.
  • The contrasting roles of men and women in the pursuit of spiritual fulfillment.
  • The importance of both practical virtues and theoretical knowledge in achieving wisdom.
  • The progress from a life of action to a life of contemplation. (correct)

Which of the following best represents Augustine's view on the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual progress?

<p>The Holy Spirit enables individuals to experience a foretaste of heavenly joy in the later stages of spiritual growth. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Augustine's framework, what is the primary function of 'virtus activa'?

<p>To purify the soul from sin and prepare it for contemplation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Augustine connect his interpretation of Lia and Rachel to the union of the soul with God?

<p>Both figures represent different aspects of the soul's journey towards union with God. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between 'virtus activa' and 'virtus contemplativa'?

<p>They are complementary virtues, working together to achieve spiritual growth. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Dante's portrayal of Lia and Rachel in Purgatorio?

<p>It reinforces Augustine's interpretation of the two figures as representing active and contemplative life. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best exemplifies the concept of 'vita contemplativa' as described by Augustine?

<p>A life of prayer and contemplation on the nature of God and divine truths. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Augustine's doctrine of 'vita activa' and 'vita contemplativa' contribute to a practical roadmap for spiritual growth?

<p>It establishes a framework for understanding the different stages of spiritual development. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of pagan philosophers in their contemplation?

<p>To perfect the self and attain knowledge (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Augustine's influence on contemplation differ from that of Aquinas?

<p>Aquinas synthesized Augustine's ideas into systematic theology (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized in both contemplative and active lives according to Gregory?

<p>They prepare individuals for eternal harmony (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the concept of 'Vita Contemplativa' differ in Christian thought compared to its pagan roots?

<p>It includes a focus on loving God, touching the heart (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which figure is noted for having significantly influenced Aquinas' understanding of the two lives?

<p>Gregory (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Greek equivalent of 'activus' as described in the content?

<p>πρακτικός (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which life did Plato elevate in importance by merging it with civic responsibilities?

<p>Contemplative life (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Plato's Republic, what is required to achieve contemplation?

<p>Mental discipline and asceticism (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Plato’s view on philosophers and their role in society?

<p>They should guide others towards justice. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which category did Plato likely draw inspiration from when classifying lives?

<p>Pythagoras’ Olympic categorization (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term describes Plato's philosophical exploration of divine beauty and contemplation?

<p>θεωρία (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did St. Augustine's view of contemplation differ from Plato's?

<p>He emphasized aiding others to achieve justice. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What philosophical concept was emphasized in Plato’s dialogues contrary to the Greek focus on action?

<p>Contemplation of the Good (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect characterizes the θεωρητικός life in Plato's classification of lives?

<p>Observing and seeking truth (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a characteristic of the 'contemplative life' according to the historical and modern definitions discussed in the text?

<p>Focusing on corporal works of mercy, such as teaching and healthcare. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Pope St. Gregory the Great's use of the terms 'active' and 'contemplative' differed significantly from their modern interpretations. What is the main implication of this difference for understanding St. Thomas Aquinas's works, 'De Vita Contemplativa' and 'De Vita Activa'?

<p>St. Gregory's original meaning of these terms provides a richer understanding of St. Thomas Aquinas's works. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the evolution of religious life as presented in the text?

<p>The evolution of religious life began with dedicated individuals living within families and progressed to established monastic communities and eventually to orders focused on outward service. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The text mentions that 'strict enclosure for religious women dates to 1298 with the Constitution Periculoso by Boniface VIII.' What was the likely impact of this constitution?

<p>It contributed to the perception that contemplative orders were more rigorous and superior to active orders. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the New Catholic Dictionary, what are the two fundamental aspects of the 'contemplative life'?

<p>Prayer for the salvation of humanity and penance for the sins of the world. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The text highlights potential misunderstandings in the modern interpretation of St. Gregory the Great's terms. Which of the following represents a potential misunderstanding?

<p>Perceiving St. Thomas Aquinas's works as advocating for one way of life over the other based on the terms 'contemplative' and 'active'. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The text presents various perspectives on the 'active' and 'contemplative' life. Which of the following aspects of the 'active' and 'contemplative' life are consistently present in all the different sources cited in the text?

<p>The active life encompasses both spiritual and temporal acts of service. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primary factor motivated Augustine to develop his theological insights?

<p>The necessity to engage with and refute growing heretical movements within Christianity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What makes Augustine's approach to contemplation unique?

<p>His integration of both intellectual and emotional aspects into his concept of contemplation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The text suggests that Augustine's understanding of contemplation differed from some prior thinkers in which way?

<p>He believed contemplation could be achieved through both active and contemplative life (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Augustine, what is the primary object of both philosophical and religious contemplation?

<p>The nature of the divine and its relation to humanity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Augustine's "Confessions" in relation to his concept of contemplation?

<p>It serves as a personal account of his early experiences of divine communion (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the text characterize the relationship between St.Isidore of Seville and St.Augustine's ideas?

<p>Isidore significantly expanded and deepened Augustine's theories (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important distinction between 'active life' and 'contemplative life' as defined by Augustine?

<p>The active life is concerned with tangible actions, while contemplative life seeks knowledge and understanding of the divine (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Augustine's framework, what is the relationship between the active and contemplative lives?

<p>They are distinct but potentially co-existing within a single individual (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Augustine's framework suggest about the accessibility of contemplation?

<p>Contemplation is a universal possibility, available to all people regardless of their background (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What historical figure is cited as an example of excelling in the "active life" according to Augustine's framework?

<p>Socrates (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Vita Activa

A lifestyle focused on visible, external activities like teaching, nursing, and social work.

Vita Contemplativa

A lifestyle focused on prayer, spiritual reading, and seclusion from worldly activities.

Active Orders

Religious orders that focus on external works of mercy, such as teaching, healthcare, and social work.

Contemplative Orders

Religious orders that prioritize prayer, penance, and solitude for union with God.

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Mixed Orders

Religious orders that combine elements of both contemplative and active lifestyles.

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Contemplative Life

A type of religious life with emphasis on worship of God, seclusion from worldly distractions, and love for God and neighbor.

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Contemplative Life (Catholic Concise Encyclopedia)

The highest religious life, emphasizing prayer and penance, which may have greater merit than an active one.

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θεωρία (Theoria)

Plato's term for a loving vision of Divine, Invisible Beauty, representing the ultimate pursuit of knowledge and understanding.

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πρακτικός (Praktikos)

The Greek equivalent for "activus", meaning "fit for doing, concerned with action."

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βίος θεωρητικός (Contemplative Life)

Plato's concept emphasizing the importance of merging the contemplative (θεωρητικός) life with active citizenship.

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Philosopher King

In Plato's Republic, the ideal leader who governs with wisdom and knowledge of the Good Itself.

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Philosophers Returning to the Cave

Plato's belief that philosophers should return to society to guide others towards justice, utilizing their knowledge and insights.

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Plato's Classification of Lives (Theoretical, Practical, Apolaustic)

Plato's categorization of life paths, including the theoretical (truth-seekers), practical (action-seekers competing for honor), and apolaustic (pleasure-seekers pursuing gain).

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St. Augustine

A Neoplatonist Christian philosopher who adopted Plato's ideas of contemplation as a highest activity of the soul.

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Plato's Concept of Being

Plato's concept of Being - the One, the Good, the True, and the Beautiful, resonates with St. Augustine's beliefs about God.

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Contemplation

The highest activity of the soul, according to Plato and St. Augustine, which involves contemplation and understanding of truth.

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Active Life

A life focused on external actions, good deeds, and moral conduct. Think of a social worker, teacher, or anyone actively contributing to society.

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Separate Lives

St. Augustine believed that these two lives, active and contemplative, could exist separately within a person, with some individuals focusing more on one than the other.

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United Lives

St. Augustine also believed that the active and contemplative lives could be united within a single individual, with both aspects influencing the person's actions and thoughts.

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Interior vs. Exterior

St. Augustine emphasized that internal spiritual life, driven by contemplation, should be the foundation for external social actions. This means that our actions should be guided by our inner spiritual understanding.

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Contemplation for All

St. Augustine believed that contemplation was accessible to everyone, regardless of their social status or background. He encouraged all people to seek a deeper understanding of God and reality.

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Knowing and Loving God

St. Augustine's approach to contemplation emphasized the synthesis of intellectual understanding and emotional love. He saw knowledge and love as intertwined aspects of a deeper spiritual experience.

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God as Ultimate Source

St. Augustine saw God as the ultimate source of truth, goodness, and beauty. These qualities were not just abstract concepts but something to be experienced and embraced.

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Augustine's Confessions

St. Augustine's writings, particularly the Confessions, offer a powerful glimpse into his personal journey of faith and his search for meaning. They convey the depth and intensity of his spiritual experiences.

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Transience of Grace

St. Augustine believed that mystical graces, moments of profound divine connection, were fleeting and transient in this life. He acknowledged the challenges of maintaining such experiences in the midst of earthly realities.

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Two Lives

Aquinas' concept of the two lives is based on earlier ideas by thinkers like Augustine and Gregory, with an emphasis on the distinctness of these lives in Christianity.

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Dark Ages

The centuries before the Twelfth Century Renaissance are often called the "Dark Ages" because they contrast with the intellectual flourishing of the thirteenth century.

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Summa Theologiae

Aquinas' thoughts on the two lives can be found in Questions 179-182 and Question 188 of Summa Theologiae IIa-IIae.

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Augustine's Platonist Influence

Augustine, like Gregory, had Platonist influences that carried over into their understanding of the two lives, although Gregory might have been more unconscious of this.

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Aquinas' Use of Gregory's Ideas

Aquinas often drew on Gregory's ideas, but he reworked them, fitting them into his own systematic theology.

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Contemplation as the Goal

Augustine's teaching emphasizes that all actions, including those in the 'vita activa,' ultimately lead to the goal of contemplation, which is the 'perfection of joys.'

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Purity Before Contemplation

Augustine agrees with Cassian that before attaining the vision of God (contemplation), one must first purify themselves by eliminating sin and acquiring virtues.

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Lia and Rachel Symbolism

Augustine's interpretation of the Biblical story of Leah and Rachel established a lasting tradition in the West, linking 'vita activa' to Leah's 'toiling' and 'vita contemplativa' to Rachel's 'beholding.'

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Peter and John: Active and Contemplative

Augustine uses the example of the Apostles Peter and John to illustrate the difference between 'vita activa' and 'vita contemplativa,' with Peter representing earthly labor and John representing heavenly joys.

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Active and Contemplative Virtues

Augustine describes two types of virtue: one that cleanses the soul from sin ('virtus activa') and another that enables the soul to rest in the vision of God ('virtus contemplativa').

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Complementarity of Two Lives

Although distinct, 'vita activa' and 'vita contemplativa' are complementary and work together in the process of spiritual growth. They are harmonized, not separated.

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Augustine's Unified Approach

Augustine brings together Biblical symbolism, theological insights, and practical advice for spiritual growth, forming a roadmap for pursuing both active and contemplative virtues.

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The Importance of Contemplation

Augustine's teachings on 'vita activa' and 'vita contemplativa' are fundamental to understanding the Christian concepts of work, service, and spiritual growth. These concepts continue to inform modern religious practice and personal reflection.

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Study Notes

Active and Contemplative Life

  • Humans have historically categorized lifestyles into two main types:
    • Active life (vita activa): Involves external, visible activities like teaching, nursing, and social work.
    • Contemplative life (vita contemplativa): Focused on prayer, spiritual study, and seclusion from the world.
  • Religious orders are categorized similarly:
    • Active orders: Focus on apostolic work (e.g., Maryknoll Sisters).
    • Contemplative orders: Engage in cloistered religious life (e.g., Carmelites, Trappistines).
  • Historical Context: Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) used the terms "active" and "contemplative" differently than modern usage.
    • The classification of religious orders into active and contemplative emerged in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Evolution of Religious Life

  • Development from consecrated virgins living with families, to hermits, cenobites (community-based monasticism), and finally apostolic orders.
  • Strict enclosure for religious women became common in 1298 (Constitution Periculoso by Boniface VIII).

Potential Misunderstandings

  • Modern readers might misinterpret St. Gregory's original meanings due to contemporary usage.

Modern Definitions of Life Styles

  • National Catholic Almanac (1955):
    • Active orders: Focus on corporal works of mercy (teaching, healthcare, and social work).
    • Contemplative orders: Prioritize prayer, penance, and solitude for union with God.
    • Mixed orders: Combine contemplation with spiritual works of mercy (retreats, spiritual guidance).
  • The Catholic Concise Encyclopedia:
    • Defines contemplative life as the highest religious life, emphasizing worship of God, seclusion from worldly distractions, and love for God and neighbor.
    • Considers contemplative life superior to active life.
  • The New Catholic Dictionary:
    • Contemplative life includes a "twofold ministry"—prayer for humanity and penance for atonement.
    • Suggests contemplative orders may have greater merit than active orders but emphasizes individual vocation.
  • Donald Attwater (A Catholic Dictionary):
    • Active life: Includes both spiritual works (preaching, retreats) and temporal works (care for the sick, education).
    • Contemplative life: Focuses on divine worship, excluding external works of active life.
    • Mixed life: Combines active and contemplative aspects; regarded as the highest spiritual form.
  • Bride (Le Dictionnaire de Théologie Catholique): Criticizes the strict separation of active and contemplative life, citing St. Thomas Aquinas’ emphasis on contemplative life leading to action.

Pope Gregory the Great's Contributions

  • Key figure for crystallizing active and contemplative life concepts for Christianity.
  • His Homilies on Ezechiel include formal definitions of both active and contemplative life.

Philosophical Connotations

  • Thinkers like Anaxagoras, associated with contemplating divine matters.
  • Initial interpretations of "θεωρός" and "θεωρία" revolved around observing religious rituals and approaching divinity.
  • The term "θεωρία" also signified a recluse or philosopher.
  • Plato defined "θεωρία" as a loving vision of the Divine, Invisible Beauty.
  • The Greek equivalent for "activus" is "πρακτικός," meaning "fit for doing."
  • Plato, contrasts life styles, between “θεωρητικός” and "πρακτικός."
  • Notable Greek thinkers like Homer, Pindar, and Euripides emphasized action.

Plato's Influence and Legacy

  • Plato's classification of lives (theoretic, practical, and apolaustic) likely inspired Pythagoras' categorization of Olympic participants into observers, competitors, and merchants.
  • Plato viewed “contemplative life” as an important component of a truly well-rounded and virtuous individual.

Religious and Philosophical Influences on St. Augustine

  • Plato significantly influenced Augustine, with Augustine adopting Plato's emphasis on contemplation as the highest activity of the soul.
  • Augustine adopted Plato's concept of Being (the One, the Good, the True, and the Beautiful).

Summary of Key Ideas

  • θεωρία (theory/contemplation) transformed from physical observation to divine contemplation.
  • Plato redefined contemplative life as a merging of this life’s ultimate pursuit and civic responsibility.
  • Augustine adapted Plato’s framework for contemplative life to Christian theology.

Etymology and Definitions

  • The Greek adjective "θεωρητικός" evolved into "contemplativus" or "peculativus" in Latin.
  • Derived from "θεωρία," which means contemplation or vision.
  • Includes sight, observation, and surveying.
  • Some scholarly debate surrounds its connection to "θεός."

Specific Key Points and Considerations

  • Contemplation is a privilege for an elite group.
  • Contemplation was emphasized within a religious framework.
  • Key thinkers like Clement of Alexandria and Origen influenced later approaches to spiritual life.
  • Augustine argued contemplation requires avoiding sin and that a balance between active and contemplative life is necessary for the full Christian life.
  • Gregory describes both active & contemplative life, relating this to spiritual growth stages.
  • Both active and contemplative have similarities and differences, emphasizing the interconnected nature of both lives.

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