Reading Group

Augustine’s Political Thought

Fridays | 9.30-11.00am | Elm Library

At once a philosopher and a theologian, Augustine has a strong claim to be the most influential Christian thinker after Paul. Regarded as an undisputed authority in the Latin Middle Ages, Augustine has continued to be a powerful influence on Christian thought, Catholic and Protestant alike, and his influence extends beyond the Christian tradition, with thinkers such as Hannah Arendt and Judith Sklar drawing on Augustine as a valuable resource for thinking about a range of philosophical questions about the purpose and limits of politics.

This reading group will read substantial selections from Augustine’s City of God.

Reading Schedule (Tentative)
1/24 | Book I
1/31 | Book II
2/14 | Book V
2/21 | Book XIX
2/28 | Book XXII

This reading group is open to Yale students in any discipline. To sign up or for more information please contact Justin Hawkins.

Without justice, what are kingdoms but great bands of robbers?

Augustine, City of God