Justice as Defined by Augustine and Aristotle Essay -- The City of God

Justice as Defined by Augustine and Aristotle Justice removed, then, what are kingdoms only great bands of robbers? (Augustine, The City of God against the Pagans, p. 1471). Augustine makes instead a claim here. The presence or absence of referee, he implies, rump make or break a great kingdom. What is this justice that Augustine speaks of? Is it the philosopher kings that define Platos just city2, or perhaps Aristotles good life3? Augustine approaches the repugn of defining justice in a different, but not ineluctably contradictory way, than his predecessors. In The City of God against the Pagans, mans birth with justice is only secondary for Augustine, justice is about God. The title of his deem alone reveals that Augustine is deeply apparitional. Rarely in City of God is at that place a give-and-take that does not have divine elements or references, and his discussion of justice is no exception. For Augustine, justice seems to be the combinat ion of devil things fruition by man of his place in the world below God, and unmitigated (or as strict as possible by a mortal) card of Gods laws. The second part is actually the easier one of the two to examine. Man is simply supposed to follow the teachings professed in Christianitys sacred texts to the best of his ability. The interpretation of the correct ways to follow those laws is another matter, but one that Augustine pays little attention to. Augustines attention is focused sooner on mans recognition of his place below God, and in a greater sense, on mans respect for God. keep by mans own humilityespecially when the divine providence justifiedly resisted their pride, so that it might show by comparison with them that i... ...ry opinion would favour Aristotle, and I am inclined to agree. Aristotles secular, capitalist-tolerant view seems like it would golf shot more with todays society than would Augustines deeply religious near-asceticism. In America, we li ve in a world of material possessions and cover to live better than citizens of any other nation, and most would agree we are not living in a world of sin or on the edge of turmoil. Then again, some would. Personally, I envision justice as a combination between ambition and moderation even out down Aristotles alley. In addition, I appreciate Aristotles optimism and organized religion in us mortals, optimism not as present in Augustines vision.1 Augustine. The City of God against the Pagans. Trans. R. W. Dyson. Cambridge, 1998.2 Platos Republic3 Aristotles Politics4 Aristotle. Politics. Trans. Ernest Barker. Oxford 1995.