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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What can the mind remember though it doesn't exist anymore?

2. With whom does Augustine return to Milan?

3. What question does Augustine ask?

4. What does not signal the end of Augustine's struggles?

5. Why can there be more than one interpretation of a piece of scripture?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Augustine describe wisdom?

2. Why does Augustine feel a sort of schizophrenia?

3. How does Augustine see evil?

4. Discuss the idea Augustine had about the beginning of all and on time.

5. Who is Victorinus and what has he done in his life?

6. What happened at the church in Milan and what Christian tradition was started there?

7. What does Augustine say about the past, future and present?

8. What does Augustine say about the heavens?

9. What does Augustine think about the Manicheans and why is he angry at them?

10. What does Augustine say about music and pleasure?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Augustine compares the Trinity to these three things: existence, knowledge, and will. Augustine does this because he is a being that exists, and that both knows and wills.

1. What do you think Augustine means by existence, knowledge and will?

2. Do you agree with Augustine that he can know what the Trinity is because he has existence, knowledge, and will? Why or why not?

3. Do you think only humans have existence, knowledge, and will or do animals? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

There is no harm in having different interpretations of the Scriptures, at least as long as various heresies are avoided, according to Augustine. If two people both believe in the word of God, it can even be fruitful to have a debate about different interpretations of the Scriptures.

1. Why do you think different people have different interpretations of religious writings?

2. Do you think different interpretations of writings apply to writings other than religious ones? Explain your reasoning.

3. Discuss the problem with language and why it might lead to different interpretations of the same writings.

Essay Topic 3

In Book III, Augustine wonders on the lack of even the basic morality of observance of the Ten Commandments in his vicinity.

1. Of what do you think Augustine believes basic morality consists? Give examples from the text and your personal experience.

2. Do you think Augustine sees a lack of morals because he himself suffers from that lack? In other words, is Augustine projecting his own lack of morals on those around him? Why or why not?

3. Research the ten commandments and choose the two you think Augustine has the most difficulty at this point in his life keeping. What are they? Give examples to demonstrate why you think he does not keep those commandments.

(see the answer keys)

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