The Shaping Factors and Key Principles of Augustine's Concept of Ethics

The Shaping Factors and Key Principles of Augustine's Concept of Ethics

Nathan K. N.G.

Augustine's concept of ethics was constructed from his personal existential experience, inspiration from Greco-Roman philosophy, pastoral and apologetic concerns, and insights from scriptural study. Besides, Christian theology, especially the doctrines of Trinity, anthropology and soteriology, was also a key factor affecting his ethical reflection. Based on his concept of good creation, he insisted that all creatures are good by nature. Vice is for him the desertion of greater goods for lesser goods while virtue is the correct selection of goods. Thus, he proposed an ordered love. For example, spiritual goods are higher than bodily, and eternal goods are better than temporal ones. Amongst all the goods, Augustine defined God as the supreme human good. All loves of earthly things have to be loved in God. However, because of falsehood and deception after the fall, human minds can no longer judge wisely and need a medicine of the soul to bring them back to health. That medicine is the scriptural teachings and commandments.

Augustine's key principles of ethical judgments have long been an academic debate. Augustine has authored many treatises discussing various ethical issues. However, all these treatises have special backgrounds and were composed for specific situations during the long episcopacy of this Latin father. The viewpoints in these treatises sometimes seem to be contradictory and have great tension. Which element among love, truth and virtue is his major concern? Does he emphasize more on teleological value or more on deontological obligation? While this article cannot answer all these questions, some rules are summarized as his most important ethical methodology. Firstly, God is the standard of truth. Virtue can only be achieved by obedience to Him. Secondly, sincere love of God is the prerequisite of all virtues. Thirdly, beside God, truth is superior to all other love of goods. Finally, knowledge of truth and love of God are interconnected. They can grow and develop together. At the end of this article, some reflections are given for modern Chinese church based on Augustine's ethical ideals.