This course addresses love as the cornerstone of the philosopher's work, essential for understanding all his theories and doctrines. A comprehensive analysis is conducted in four sections: first, the centrality of love in Augustine's work is highlighted; second, the terms he used to refer to love are explored; third, the four great loves—love of the world, love of oneself, love of neighbor, and love of God—are examined; and finally, it is proposed that perfect love integrates these four aspects. It is argued that the terms used by Augustine are not opposed, but rather complementary, reflecting different facets of the same reality.
Aim
- To acquire knowledge about the Augustinian interpretation of love and its central importance in the thought of Saint Augustine of Hippo.
- To understand the conceptual richness that Augustine of Hippo uses to address love in all its facets.
- Develop scientific and academic research skills in philosophy, including bibliographic research, summarizing, and identifying the main discussions surrounding the theme of love in Augustine of Hippo.
- Integrate the concepts of Augustinian doctrine of love into the critical analysis of current problems related to the course topic.
- Apply hermeneutic-critical skills in the interpretation of philosophical texts relevant to understanding love in the work of Augustine of Hippo.
- Develop skills for the production of quality philosophical texts, following the standards of academic and scientific work, focused on the study of love in the work of Augustine of Hippo.