Influence on Catholic theology, philosophy of religion (evil and suffering), and sex ethics
Initial Activity
Write down everything you already know about St Augustine and original sin
Reflect on key concepts, quotes, and ideas
OCR Specification Highlights
Genesis 3 Interpretation: The Fall, misuse of free will by Adam and Eve
Prelapsarian State: Perfection before the Fall, Adam and Eve's friendship
Consequences of the Fall: Lust, selfish desires, original sin
Transmission of Original Sin: Through sexual intercourse
Human Society and Original Sin: Selfishness, lack of free will, corruption
God's Grace: Overcoming sin through God's love and Jesus Christ
Discussion Questions: Historical fall, moral goodness, human nature's optimism/pessimism, distinctive human nature
Key Questions and Themes
Human Nature: Are humans born sinful?
State of Nature Debate: Rousseau vs. Hobbes vs. Locke vs. Augustine
Rousseau: Humans are naturally gentle, corrupted by society
Hobbes: Humans are naturally selfish, life is brutal without societal control
Locke: Humans are born as a blank slate, shaped by experience
Augustine: Humans are born with original sin, predisposed to sinfulness
St Augustine's Life and Context
Biography: 354-430 AD, influential in Christian thought, especially on sex ethics
Conversion: From hedonistic lifestyle to devout Christianity
Impact: Emphasis on sexual desire and original sin, shaping Catholic views on sex
Augustine's Teachings on Original Sin
Original Sin: Result of Adam and Eve's misuse of free will
Consequences: Death, suffering, disharmony between heaven and earth
Transmission: Through sexual intercourse, humanity's predisposition to sinfulness
God's Grace: Essential for overcoming sin, salvation through Christ's sacrifice
Critical Evaluation
Optimism vs. Pessimism: Debating Augustine's view on human nature
Literal vs. Symbolic Genesis: Implications for Augustine's theory
Strengths of Augustine's Theory
Absolves God from blame, consistent with scripture, explains human selfishness
Emphasizes importance of God's grace and Jesus's sacrificial role
Weaknesses of Augustine's Theory
Dependent on a literalist understanding of Genesis
Criticisms from Dawkins, Pinker, and evolutionary science
Seen as unfair, creating guilt, negativity, and irrational views on God and salvation
Conclusion
Augustine's theory offers a comprehensive framework for understanding original sin and its implications
Debate remains on the validity and fairness of his views, especially in relation to modern scientific understandings of human origins
Exam preparation should focus on evaluating Augustine's strengths and weaknesses, and considering the implications of his teachings on contemporary religious thought.