The Thomistic And Augustinian Doctrines Of Man's Final Causality

Abstract

In this thesis I have sought to develop the concept of final causality from the writings of Saint Augustine. In the first chapter the Scholastic concept of causality, and more specifically the idea of the final cause has been treated. Chapter two develops the Augustinian concept for final causality from the major writings of Saint Augustine, i.e., The Confessions and The City Of God. Chapter three is devoted to the comparison of the Thomistic with the Augustinian teaching and particular reference is given to the desire of man for his final end, as the Highest Good. I have hoped by this dissertation to convey the importance of the final cause in men's lives and to bring about a better understanding of the early philosophy of the Church Fathers as regards man's final end.In this thesis I have sought to develop the concept of final causality from the writings of Saint Augustine. In the first chapter the Scholastic concept of causality, and more specifically the idea of the final cause has been treated. Chapter two develops the Augustinian concept for final causality from the major writings of Saint Augustine, i.e., The Confessions and The City Of God. Chapter three is devoted to the comparison of the Thomistic with the Augustinian teaching and particular reference is given to the desire of man for his final end, as the Highest Good. I have hoped by this dissertation to convey the importance of the final cause in men's lives and to bring about a better understanding of the early philosophy of the Church Fathers as regards man's final end.In this thesis I have sought to develop the concept of final causality from the writings of Saint Augustine. In the first chapter the Scholastic concept of causality, and more specifically the idea of the final cause has been treated. Chapter two develops the Augustinian concept for final causality from the major writings of Saint Augustine, i.e., The Confessions and The City Of God. Chapter three is devoted to the comparison of the Thomistic with the Augustinian teaching and particular reference is given to the desire of man for his final end, as the Highest Good. I have hoped by this dissertation to convey the importance of the final cause in men's lives and to bring about a better understanding of the early philosophy of the Church Fathers as regards man's final end.