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The influential philosophers of antiquity who established the basis of modern human fields are St. Augustine, Socrates, and Plato. However, these philosophers have different perspectives on specific aspects of the worldview, although they voice similar motives in various directions. Thus, it is essential to analyze the main similarities and differences between the philosophers mentioned above, the essence of which lies in the perception of the good and the concept of God.
In comparing St. Augustine with Socrates and Plato, two crucial factors need to be considered. St. Augustine saw the question of faith differently compared to two other philosophers; he believed that God was not to be sought, that he was present and had constant contact with each individual (Boone 157). Moreover, there is disagreement over the question of the First Sin between the scholar and Socrates (Boone 159). St. Augustine was known for his attitude toward this conceptual disagreement (Boone 159). While Platonism and Socratism focused on the pursuit of the good and mans ability to become holy, the scholar described humans as fallen creatures in need of repentance through righteousness and self-torture (Boone 159). Consequently, these aspects are the significant differences between the presented philosophers.
Nevertheless, they additionally have an identical understanding of goods nature and how a person develops toward that quality. Furthermore, St. Augustine frequently referred to Platonism and Socratism in his writings and based his philosophy on the teachings of Plato and Socrates (Boone 161). He was a staunch Platonist in his anthropology, stressing the souls supremacy over and independence from the body (Boone 161). It was axiomatic for the scholar that the body could not operate on the soul since it was higher in the hierarchy of reality, and the inferior could not act on the superior (Boone 161). Thus, based on the provided information and overall comparison, one can conclude that there is a similarity of views on most points relating to the virtues and spiritual development of a human being.
In conclusion, through analysis concerning the perception of faith and goodness, St. Augustine and Plato with Socrates are similar in many aspects of philosophy; however, they are divergent. Such a factor plays a vital role in the development of philosophy as a human science the presence of alternative views leads to dialogue and, consequently, new inferences. Such a paradigm allows one to logically conclude that disagreements on the issues mentioned above are a matter of developing human perception.
Work Cited
Boone, Mark J. The Role of Platonism in St. Augustines 386 Conversion to Christianity. Religion Compass, vol. 9, no. 5, 2017, pp. 15161. Crossref, Web.
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