Pierre Hadot. Chapter 11. Philosophy as a Way of Life. and The City of God (Augustine) – Flashcards

• Ataraxia • Autarkeia • Comic consciousness ○ More transformational, transform the person, not always learn more ○ These three don't pursue knowledge in itself, but pursue the transformation of the philosopher • The three of them are interconnected, they are what are at the heart of the philosopher • They are what helps the philosopher become Atopos, independent thinker • Three aspects of becoming a philosopher, the opposite of these 3 things would be the theoretical approach • Wisdom brings these three things, shows philosophy as therapeutic

• Discourse about philosophy ○ The parts of philosophy - physics, ethics, and logic ○ When it comes to teaching philosophy, it is necessary to set forth a theory of logic, a theory of physics, and a theory of ethics ○ The exigencies of discourse, both logical and pedagogical, require that these distinctions be made • Philosophy itself ○ No longer a theory divided into parts, but a unitary act which consists in living logic, physics and ethics ○ We no longer study logical theory, we simply speak well ○ We no longer engage in theory about the physical world, we contemplate the cosmos ○ We no longer theorize about moral action, but we act in a correct and just way

• Philosophizing was a continuous act, permanent and identical with life itself, something that had to be renewed at each instance • Exercises were necessary ○ Intense meditation on fundamental dogmas ○ Ever-renewed awareness of the finitude of life ○ Examination of one's conscience ○ Specific attitude toward time • Live in the present, the present sufficed for happiness • Recognizing the infinite value of each instant, wisdom is just as perfect and complete in one instant as it is throughout an eternity • We not only can but we must be happy right now • Had a sharp awareness of the infinite, incommensurable value of existence

• End of the 18th century onward, philosophy would be indissolubly linked to the university • Philosophy reduced to the philosophical discourse, developed from this point on in a university environment much different from ancient philosophy • No longer a way of life

• Supreme good is eternal life • Supreme evil is eternal death Do obtain eternal life we must live righteously

The end of the "City of God" is beatitude and eternal life and peace. - Not achievable on the earth because things are only temporary and God is not present - You need God, God is constant and last forever - You cannot have beatitude nor eternal life on earth

• Augustine compares well to Plato and Socrates • Virtue is intellectual, like Socrates says virtue is a kind of wisdom • For Augustine, virtue has to do with the intellect • The only difference is the ultimate goal. ○ Augustine it is peace and eternal life which can only be achieved in the City of God and it can only come from order, cannot be achieved on Earth ○ Augustine's view of the ultimate goal differs 100% from Greek philosophers because Augustine is a Christian philosopher and he believes in God § Everything in the Earthly city has to aim towards God ○ Platos' is contemplation of the forms and The Good, which can be achieved while on Earth