Augustine's invention of the inner self
the legacy of a Christian Platonist
Phillip Cary
214 pages | ~6 hrs
Augustine's invention of the inner self
the legacy of a Christian Platonist
By Phillip Cary
How did the concept of an inner spiritual life first emerge in Western thought? Phillip Cary presents a fascinating exploration of this fundamental question by examining Augustine's revolutionary contribution to our understanding of the self.
According to Cary's analysis, Augustine faced a compelling theological puzzle that would reshape spiritual thinking for centuries. Drawn to the Neoplatonist tradition that placed the divine within the human soul, Augustine simultaneously needed to honor orthodox Catholic teaching that maintained a clear distinction between the human soul and God. His ingenious solution gave birth to what we now recognize as the inner self.
Cary demonstrates how Augustine developed the concept of a private interior space within each person, a realm where individuals could encounter the divine while preserving the essential separation between human and divine nature. This "turn inward then upward" approach invited seekers to first enter their own inner world before lifting their awareness toward the divine Light that transcends human consciousness.
This scholarly yet accessible work reveals how one of Christianity's most influential thinkers solved a complex doctrinal challenge while inadvertently creating a new framework for spiritual experience. Readers interested in the historical development of spiritual concepts and the philosophical foundations of inner work will discover how Augustine's innovation continues to influence contemporary approaches to self-discovery and divine encounter.
The book offers valuable insights into the intellectual origins of practices that remain central to spiritual growth today.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Contributions in doctrine of soul
- ✓ Explore Influence
- ✓ Explore Et l'âme
- ✓ Explore History of doctrines
- ✓ Explore Doctrine of the soul
- ✓ Explore Soul
- ✓ Explore Histoire des doctrines
- ✓ Explore Christianity
Topics
Details
- Published
- 2000
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- ISBN-10
- 0195132068
- Pages
- 214
- Language
- EN
