The Political Writings

by Saint Augustine, Henry Paolucci, Dino Bigongiari

Overview

Anyone with a better than cursory knowledge of politics knows that a people's deepest values - their religious values - are what determine whether a society will prosper or fail. And anyone with a more than cursory knowledge of history knows that there was once an entity called Christendom - a political society self-consciously in obeisance to a total Christian view of life.

Here in one concise volume is St. Augustine's brilliant analysis of where faith and politics meet - casting a penetrating light on Roman civilization, the coming Middle Ages, ecclesiastical politics, and some of the most powerful ideas in the Western tradition, including Augustine's famous "just war theory" and his timeless ideas of how men should live in society.

With the classic introduction by Henry Paolucci and an analysis by Dino Bigongiari.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780895267047
Publisher:	Regnery Publishing
Publication date:	09/28/1996
Pages:	358
Sales rank:	136,994
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x (d)

About the Author

Paul Woodruff is Professor of Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin.

Editorial Reviews

If Augustine can be said to have had any concern for politics, it is because of the moral problems that politics poses for Christians, whose religion takes it for granted they will live as full-fledged citizens of the political society they belong to. This translation, which makes Augustine's moral and political views more accessible to English-speaking readers, includes selections from The City of God as well as lesser-known writings. With a brief chronology and an introduction by Boston College theology professor Ernest L. Fortin. Paper edition (unseen), $9.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

[This volume] offers one-stop access to the political ideas of a major pre-modern thinker. The translations are fresh, accurate, supple, and clear, and the notes and comments are helpful. Ernest Fortin's excellent Introduction sets the central text, the City of God, in historical perspective and outlines problems Augustine faced in trying to reconcile Christian faith with the legitimate demands of civic life. --Alan R. Perreiah, Teaching Philosophy

Brilliantly organized. I particularly like the brief introductions before each section which help to set the context of each piece. --Brian Caza, Georgetown College

From the Publisher