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What are the Cardinal Virtues of the City of God according to St. Augustine?
What are the Cardinal Virtues of the City of God according to St. Augustine?
What do the Cardinal Vices of the City of Man consist of according to St. Augustine?
What do the Cardinal Vices of the City of Man consist of according to St. Augustine?
How many books is the City of God composed of?
How many books is the City of God composed of?
What is the primary focus of St. Augustine's 'City of God'?
What is the primary focus of St. Augustine's 'City of God'?
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What does St. Augustine believe is the central purpose of governance?
What does St. Augustine believe is the central purpose of governance?
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In St. Augustine's view, what is essential for true governance?
In St. Augustine's view, what is essential for true governance?
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Which factor does St. Augustine identify as a reason for the fall of empires?
Which factor does St. Augustine identify as a reason for the fall of empires?
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What is St. Augustine's perspective on the idea of Utopia?
What is St. Augustine's perspective on the idea of Utopia?
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How does St. Augustine view earthly events in relation to divine control?
How does St. Augustine view earthly events in relation to divine control?
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Which of the following best describes the 'Earthly City' according to St. Augustine?
Which of the following best describes the 'Earthly City' according to St. Augustine?
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Which of the following is an example of a Dystopia according to St. Augustine's definitions?
Which of the following is an example of a Dystopia according to St. Augustine's definitions?
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Which of the following revolutions does St. Augustine’s application pertain to?
Which of the following revolutions does St. Augustine’s application pertain to?
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What significant historical context influenced St. Augustine's ideas?
What significant historical context influenced St. Augustine's ideas?
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What values do the citizens of the 'City of God' seek to embody?
What values do the citizens of the 'City of God' seek to embody?
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In St. Augustine's view, what is a characteristic of 'Imperial Overstretch'?
In St. Augustine's view, what is a characteristic of 'Imperial Overstretch'?
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What theme does St. Augustine emphasize in relation to political history?
What theme does St. Augustine emphasize in relation to political history?
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What significant event followed the ejection of King Louis XVI during the French Revolution?
What significant event followed the ejection of King Louis XVI during the French Revolution?
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What did the Russian Revolution ultimately result in?
What did the Russian Revolution ultimately result in?
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What was the primary consequence of the Chinese Revolution?
What was the primary consequence of the Chinese Revolution?
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Which statement best describes North Korea's political system?
Which statement best describes North Korea's political system?
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According to St. Augustine, what is the ultimate goal of politics?
According to St. Augustine, what is the ultimate goal of politics?
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What is a key principle of Just War Theory as developed by St. Augustine?
What is a key principle of Just War Theory as developed by St. Augustine?
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Which component is NOT a part of the Justice of War (Jus Ad Bellum) criteria?
Which component is NOT a part of the Justice of War (Jus Ad Bellum) criteria?
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What does the term 'Jus in Bello' refer to in the context of Just War Theory?
What does the term 'Jus in Bello' refer to in the context of Just War Theory?
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Study Notes
St. Augustine's Political Theory
- Augustine was an early Christian theologian and philosopher
- His ideas significantly shaped Western political philosophy
- His views on politics, justice, and the state's role are important
- The Fall of Rome: Christians blamed for the fall, Romans abandoning pagan religion for Christianity
Reasons for the Fall of Empires
- Imperial overstretch
- Economic weakness
- Corruption and poor leadership
- Social and political instability
- External threats
- Technological stagnation
The City of God
- Augustine contrasts two realms: the City of God and the earthly city
- The City of God is symbolic and spiritual, not a physical city.
- Citizens of the City of God live by values such as charity, humility, justice, and love for God.
- They seek spiritual fulfillment over material wealth
The City of Man
- The earthly city (Civitas Terrena) signifies those prioritizing earthly pleasures, power, and self-interest over God
- Residents prioritize worldly endeavors over God
Augustine's View on History
- Augustine believed history unfolds linearly, culminating in the victory of the City of God.
- All events (particularly the rise and fall of empires) are under God's control
Cardinal Virtues of the City of God
- Hope
- Charity
- Faith
Cardinal Vices of the City of Man
- Pride
- Greed
- Ambition
Structure of Augustine's Work
- Augustine's "City of God" is composed of 22 books
- Books 1-10 critique Roman religion and philosophy
- Books 11-22 are theological and philosophical discussions of the two cities
The Purpose of Government
- Maintaining order
- Preventing chaos
- Protecting against evil
Justice in Governance
- Justice is central to governance
- Without justice, a state is merely a band of robbers
Augustine's View on War
- War is a tool of God, used to restrain sin and promote limited justice
- True justice is found only in the City of God
- War is sometimes necessary as a response to sin and injustice.
- The goal of war is to achieve peace
Augustine's Skepticism
- Skeptical of political power and utopian visions
Utopian Society
- Utopia: creating a perfect society in terms of social, political, and economic harmony and happiness
Dystopia
- Dystopia is an imagined society that is deeply flawed, oppressive, nightmarish, and arbitrary
Historical Examples
- French Revolution
- Russian Revolution
- Chinese Revolution
- North Korean regime
Role of Christian Citizens
- Distinguishing the roles of Church and state is important
- Warning against the church becoming overly entangled in political power
Separation of Church and State
- What is the importance of separation of church and state in modern day politics?
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Description
Explore the political theories of St. Augustine and their impact on Western philosophy. This quiz covers key concepts from Augustine's works, including 'The City of God' and the reasons for the decline of empires. Understand the contrast between the spiritual and earthly cities and the implications for political thought.
