Perception, Sensibility, and Moral Motivation in Augustine
A Stoic-Platonic Synthesis

Argues that Augustine assimilated the Stoic theory of perception into his theories of motivation, affectivity, therapy for the passions and moral progress.

Sarah Catherine Byers (Author)

9781107017948, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 November 2012

268 pages
22.9 x 1.6 x 15.2 cm, 0.53 kg

'Byers' well-written study makes a substantial contribution to Augustinian research and deserves a wide reception among scholars.' Tobias Uhle, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

This book argues that Augustine assimilated the Stoic theory of perception into his theories of motivation, affectivity, therapy for the passions and moral progress. Using his sermons to elucidate his treatises, Sarah Catherine Byers demonstrates how Augustine enriched Stoic cognitivism with Platonism to develop a fuller and coherent theory of action. That theory underlies his account of moral development, including his account of the mind's reception of grace. By analyzing Augustine's engagement with Cicero, Seneca, Plotinus, Ambrose, Jerome, Origen and Philo of Alexandria, Byers sheds new light on a major thinker of the early Christian world whose work is of critical importance for understanding key and recurring themes in Western philosophy.

1. Perception and the language of the mind
2. Motivation
3. Emotions
4. Preliminary passions
5. Progress in joy: preliminaries to good emotions
6. Cognitive therapies
7. Inspiration.

Subject Areas: History of religion [HRAX], Philosophy of religion [HRAB], Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]