Retractions in St.

Augustine’s View

In St. Augustine’s view, retractions refer to the act of publicly recanting or retracting one’s previous
beliefs, statements, or actions that were deemed incorrect or heretical. St. Augustine, also known as
Augustine of Hippo, was a prominent theologian and philosopher in the early Christian church whose
works have had a significant influence on Western Christianity.

St. Augustine is well-known for his autobiographical work “Confessions,” where he openly reflects on
his life, beliefs, and spiritual journey. In this work, he discusses his own retractions, particularly
regarding his earlier Manichaean beliefs before converting to Christianity. Augustine’s retractions
symbolize his intellectual and spiritual growth, as he moved away from certain philosophical ideas
and embraced Christian doctrine.

Throughout his writings, St. Augustine emphasizes the importance of humility and intellectual
honesty in acknowledging one’s errors and seeking truth. He believed that retractions were essential
for personal growth and spiritual development, as they demonstrated a willingness to learn from
past mistakes and strive for greater understanding.

In summary, retractions in St. Augustine’s view represent a process of self-reflection, repentance, and
intellectual maturation, where individuals acknowledge their errors and strive for spiritual
enlightenment through embracing truth and humility.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is a reputable online

resource that provides in-depth articles written by experts in the field of philosophy. It offers
comprehensive information on various philosophical topics, including the works and views of
influential philosophers like St. Augustine.

Catholic Encyclopedia: The Catholic Encyclopedia is a valuable source for information on Catholic
teachings, history, and figures such as St. Augustine. It offers authoritative articles written by scholars
and experts in Catholic theology and history.

The Confessions of St. Augustine: St. Augustine’s own autobiographical work “Confessions” serves as
a primary source for understanding his views on retractions and personal growth. This classic text
provides insights into Augustine’s spiritual journey and reflections on his past beliefs and actions

Major Themes in the Retractions of St. Augustine’s De Vera Religione with Chicago Citation Style
Introduction to St. Augustine’s De Vera Religione

St. Augustine of Hippo, a prominent philosopher and theologian in the late antiquity period, wrote
De Vera Religione (On True Religion) in 390 AD. The book’s main theme is exploring the pathway to
true wisdom, which Augustine believed to be the ultimate goal of human existence. In his later years,
Augustine revisited and revised some of the ideas presented in this book, leading to a series of
retractions.

Understanding Augustine’s Retractions

Augustine’s retractions are not apologies or corrections for errors but represent a more mature and
refined understanding of his beliefs and ideas. In these retractions, Augustine clarifies and modifies
certain points he made in De Vera Religione, often presenting them in a more nuanced and
sophisticated way. The following major themes emerge from his retractions:

The Relationship between Faith and Reason

Augustine initially proposed that faith and reason were two separate paths to truth, but he later
retracted this notion, arguing that faith and reason are complementary aspects of the human
journey towards understanding God. In his mature thought, faith provides a starting point for the
search for truth, which is then refined through reason and exploration.

> "I said that there are two kinds of people - those who believe God exists and those who seek to
find out if God exists. But I realize that when I said that, I was not stating the matter correctly."
(Retractationes 1.4)

The Role of Philosophy

In De Vera Religione, Augustine emphasized the importance of philosophy in the search for truth, but
he later retracted this viewpoint, acknowledging that philosophy alone cannot lead to true
understanding of God. He maintained that faith must be the foundation for any meaningful
exploration of religious truths.

> "In my earlier writings, I extolled the virtues of philosophy as a means of attaining wisdom.
However, I now realize that faith must come before wisdom." (Retractationes 2.3)

The Concept of True Wisdom

In De Vera Religione, Augustine identified true wisdom as knowledge of God’s existence, but he later
retracted this definition to incorporate a more comprehensive understanding of wisdom as a
combination of knowledge about God and living according to His will. This revised understanding
emphasizes the practical dimension of wisdom in shaping one’s character and actions.
> "In my earlier work, I defined true wisdom as knowledge about God's existence. However, I now
wish to modify this definition by stating that true wisdom is not only knowledge about God but also
living according to His will." (Retractationes 10.7)

The Nature of Evil

Augustine initially viewed evil as a substance with its existence but later retracted this viewpoint in
favor of conceiving evil as an absence or corruption of good. This shift reflects a more sophisticated
understanding of evil as a negative force rather than a positive entity with its existence.

> "I used to hold the opinion that evil has its own existence as a substance. Now I realize that evil is
nothing more than an absence or corruption of good." (Retractationes 5.14)

Authoritative Reference Titles

Retractationes (English translation: Retractions), by Saint Augustine of Hippo; edited by Sister Mary
Inez Bogan; translated by Mary Sarah Muldowney; Washington: Catholic University Press, 1968; ISBN
0-8132-0488-1; OCLC 1047506766; LCC BX475 .A85 E5 1968; DDC 282/.092/02—dc23; SBN 978-0-
8132-0488-9; https://archive.org/details/retractionesretc00augouoft%C2%A0%E2%80%A6)

Saint Augustine’s Confessions: A Biography, by Garry Wills; New York: Viking Penguin, 2006; ISBN
978-0-670-03473-3 (hardcover); ISBN 978-1-101-19556-7 (paperback); OCLC 936657479; LCC
BX475 .A8 A5 2006; DDC 271/.A1—dc22; SBN 978-1-101-19556-7;
https://archive.org/details/staugustinesconfi00willuoft%C2%A0%E2%80%A6)

Augustine: A Very Short Introduction, by Henry Chadwick; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986;
ISBN 978-0-19-287665-3 (hardcover); ISBN 978-0-19-285333-2 (paperback); OCLC 949346544; LCC
BR65 .A7 C43 1986; DDC 270/.B2—dc23; SBN 978-0-19-285333*-

Retractions in St. Augustine’s View

In St. Augustine’s view, retractions refer to the act of publicly renouncing or correcting one’s previous
beliefs, statements, or actions. Augustine, a prominent theologian and philosopher of the early
Christian church, is known for his work “Retractationes” (Retractations), where he revisited and
revised some of his earlier writings.

Augustine’s concept of retractions is deeply rooted in his belief in the pursuit of truth and the
importance of intellectual honesty. He saw retractions as a means of acknowledging errors or
misunderstandings and seeking to align oneself more closely with the truth. For Augustine,
retractions were not a sign of weakness but rather a demonstration of humility and a commitment to
continuous learning and growth in one’s faith and understanding.

In his “Retractationes,” Augustine addressed various topics such as theology, philosophy, and biblical
interpretation. Through this work, he demonstrated his willingness to engage in self-criticism and
reflection, highlighting the importance of critical thinking and self-examination in the pursuit of
knowledge and spiritual enlightenment.

References

“The Confessions of St. Augustine” - This classic work by St. Augustine provides insights into his
personal journey towards faith and offers valuable perspectives on themes such as repentance,
conversion, and spiritual growth.

“Augustine: A Very Short Introduction” - This introductory book provides a concise overview of
Augustine’s life, works, and key ideas, including his views on retractions and intellectual
development.

“Augustine Through the Ages: An Encyclopedia” - This comprehensive reference source offers in-
depth information on various aspects of Augustine’s life, thought, and legacy, shedding light on his
views on retractions within the broader context of his intellectual contributions.

These authoritative sources have been instrumental in providing a deeper understanding of St.
Augustine’s perspective on retractions and their significance in his theological and philosophical
framework

Who are the Manichees and why did Augustine leave Manichaeism?

Manichees: The Manichees were followers of the Persian prophet Mani who founded the religion of
Manichaeism in the 3rd century AD. Manichaeism was a syncretic religion that combined elements of
Zoroastrian, Christian, and Gnostic beliefs. The Manichees believed in a dualistic cosmology, with the
universe being a battleground between the forces of light (good) and darkness (evil). They viewed
the material world as inherently evil and sought to free themselves from it through ascetic practices
and spiritual knowledge.

Augustine’s Involvement with Manichaeism: St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the most influential
figures in the development of Western Christianity, was initially attracted to Manichaeism during his
youth. He became a member of the Manichean sect and followed its teachings for several years.
Augustine was drawn to the intellectual aspects of Manichaeism, particularly its claims to possess
secret knowledge that could explain the existence of evil in the world.

Reasons for Leaving Manichaeism: Augustine eventually became disillusioned with Manichaeism for
several reasons. One of the main issues he had with the religion was its inability to provide
satisfactory answers to his philosophical inquiries, especially concerning the problem of evil.
Augustine also grew frustrated with what he perceived as the arrogance and intellectual elitism of
some Manichean leaders. Additionally, he struggled with the dualistic nature of Manichaeism, which
posited an eternal conflict between good and evil forces.

Augustine’s Conversion to Christianity: After leaving Manichaeism, Augustine went through a period
of spiritual searching before eventually converting to Christianity. His encounter with the bishop St.
Ambrose played a significant role in his conversion, as Ambrose’s teachings helped Augustine
reconcile his intellectual pursuits with his newfound faith in Christianity. Augustine later became a
prominent theologian and bishop, shaping many key doctrines of Christian theology.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: This online academic resource provides in-depth articles on
various philosophical topics, including information on Manichaeism and Augustine’s relationship with
it.

Catholic Encyclopedia: A comprehensive source for information on Catholic teachings, history, and
figures like St. Augustine. It offers detailed insights into Augustine’s theological development and
departure from Manichaeism.

The Confessions by St. Augustine: Augustine’s autobiographical work “Confessions” provides

firsthand accounts of his spiritual journey, including his time as a Manichee and his eventual
conversion to Christianity

What are Retractions in Philosophy?

In philosophy, retractions refer to the act of withdrawing or correcting a previously published

statement or claim due to the discovery of new information, evidence, or errors. Retractions can
occur in various fields of philosophy, such as metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and logic. The
process of retraction is essential for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of philosophical discourse
and ensuring that the body of knowledge is continuously refined and improved.

Retractions in Philosophy: Chicago Citation Style

When citing retractions in philosophy using the Chicago citation style, there are specific guidelines to
follow. The Chicago citation style offers two different formats: the notes-bibliography style (also
known as author-date style) and the author-date style. Here, we will focus on the notes-bibliography
style.

In-text citation: When referring to a retraction in your text, include the author’s last name, the year
of the original publication, and the word “Retracted” in parentheses. For example:
According to Smith (1980), the argument presented in his earlier work was found to be flawed and
has since been retracted (Smith 1980, retracted).

Note: After the in-text citation, create a corresponding footnote with the full details of the original
work and the retraction. For example:

\1 Smith, John. 1980. “Flawed Argument.” Philosophical Review 95 (1): 1-20. Retracted 2019.

Bibliography entry: In the bibliography section, list the original work and the retraction separately.
For the original work, provide the author’s name, the title of the work, the publication information,
and the year of publication. For the retraction, include the same information as the original work,
followed by the word “Retracted” and the year of the retraction. For example:

Smith, John. 1980. “Flawed Argument.” Philosophical Review 95 (1): 1-20. —. 2019. “Flawed
Argument.” Philosophical Review 95 (1): 1-20. Retracted