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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. With what word in the scriptures is Augustine particularly fascinated?

2. What does the mind retain in memory?

3. How can memory make you unhappy?

4. Though formlessness is close to nothing, it is not the same as what?

5. What does Augustine want to measure?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Augustine say about his mother's upbringing and some of her behaviors as a married woman?

2. By the beginning of Book VII, how does Augustine begin to think of God?

3. What does Augustine think of the term formless matter?

4. What does Augustine say is the use of the senses in dealing with time?

5. Why does Augustine feel a sort of schizophrenia?

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

7. How does Augustine see evil?

8. What does Augustine say about music and pleasure?

9. What does Augustine say about formlessness?

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

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

The concept of evil is one that Augustine writes about throughout his Confessions. Discuss one of the following ideas:

1. What are the different ways Augustine defines evil as he changes? Give specific examples.

2. Do you view the actions of Augustine as a young man as evil? Why or why not? Use specific examples from the text and discuss the examples in depth in relation to the question.

3. Do you believe most people have a concept of evil, even those who might be considered truly evil by a general consensus across cultures? Briefly explain what might be a universal concept of evil.

Essay Topic 3

To show their goodness, and what they learn from the Scriptures, men need to help their neighbor, not just in small matters. In this way, men bear gifts as also fruit for the goodness of God. Augustine calls on men to help their neighbors, clothe the naked, and in that way strengthen their ability to know and contemplate God.

1. Do you agree with the above statement? Why or why not?

2. Do you think the above statements supports those who advocate for helping others less fortunate, such as the homeless or orphans? Why or why not?

3. Given that helping those less fortunate is a part of every major religion, do you think it might be an instinct bred in human DNA? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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