De Civitate Dei, xix (1-13)

NOTE: This chapter is very meaty. You may find it obtuse. Although I want you to answer the following questions, you may not get the big picture of what A. is aiming for. The questions will merely serve to give you some tidbits. We will look at the main issues in class. You might find it helpful to try to summarize each chapter with a single sentence and then arrange these sentences in an outline. Here's a hint: Chapter XIX compares and contrasts the Christian and pagan views of happiness.

1) What are the four ends which men naturally pursue?

2) What are the three ways in which these ends are combined with virtue?

3) A. says that the philosophers are mistaken regardless of what end they pursue and how they think it should be combined with virtue. What reason does A. give for this judgement?

4) What criticism does A. make of the Stoics view of the happiness of life and suicide?

5) In the last paragraph of xix,10 we see A. employing a characteristic notion that things on earth are both penal and remedial. Explain. Note: this idea that is employed frequently (e.g. i,8 and xix,13).

6) What do you think A. means by the closing two sentences of xix,12?

7) Read xix,13 very carefully. You should recognize in it several important themes. It is generally considered one of the high points of De Civitate Dei.