On Order
St. Augustine's Cassiciacum Dialogues, Volume 3
Published on 12. January 2021
Book
Hardback
352 pages
978-0-300-23853-2 (ISBN)
Description
A fresh, new translation of Augustine's third work as a Christian convert
"The 'Cassiciacum dialogues' . . . are of a high literary and intellectual quality, combining Ciceronian and neo-Platonic philosophy, Roman comedy and Vergilian poetry, and early Christian theology. They are also, arguably, Augustine's most charming works, exhibiting his whimsical levity and ironic wryness."-Credo
The first four works written by St. Augustine of Hippo after his conversion to Christianity are dialogues that have influenced prominent thinkers from Boethius to Bernard Lonergan. Usually called the "Cassiciacum dialogues," these four works are of a high literary and intellectual quality, combining Ciceronian and neo-Platonic philosophy, Roman comedy and Vergilian poetry, and early Christian theology. They are also, arguably, Augustine's most charming works, exhibiting his whimsical levity and ironic wryness.
On Order is the third work in this tetralogy, and it is Augustine's only work explicitly devoted to theodicy, the reconciliation of Almighty God's goodness with evil's existence. In this dialogue, Augustine argues that a certain kind of self-knowledge is the key to unlocking the answers to theodicy's vexing questions, and he devotes the latter half of the dialogue to an excursus on the liberal arts as disciplines that will help strengthen the mind to know itself and God.
"The 'Cassiciacum dialogues' . . . are of a high literary and intellectual quality, combining Ciceronian and neo-Platonic philosophy, Roman comedy and Vergilian poetry, and early Christian theology. They are also, arguably, Augustine's most charming works, exhibiting his whimsical levity and ironic wryness."-Credo
The first four works written by St. Augustine of Hippo after his conversion to Christianity are dialogues that have influenced prominent thinkers from Boethius to Bernard Lonergan. Usually called the "Cassiciacum dialogues," these four works are of a high literary and intellectual quality, combining Ciceronian and neo-Platonic philosophy, Roman comedy and Vergilian poetry, and early Christian theology. They are also, arguably, Augustine's most charming works, exhibiting his whimsical levity and ironic wryness.
On Order is the third work in this tetralogy, and it is Augustine's only work explicitly devoted to theodicy, the reconciliation of Almighty God's goodness with evil's existence. In this dialogue, Augustine argues that a certain kind of self-knowledge is the key to unlocking the answers to theodicy's vexing questions, and he devotes the latter half of the dialogue to an excursus on the liberal arts as disciplines that will help strengthen the mind to know itself and God.
Reviews / Votes
"Foley's translation reads easily and is transparent. . . . The commentary section, which follows the work's chronology, discusses separate and clustered sections of the dialogue. Headings are well chosen and to the point. In these highly interesting commentarial remarks, Foley explains Augustine's discourse with a multitude of references to classical sources in philosophy and literature."-Martin Claes, AugustinianaPraise for the series:
"Foley's exceptional labors now allow modern Anglophone readers to access the treasure of these dialogues, along with the related On the Immortality of the Soul. In each of Foley's four volumes, an excellent translation is accompanied by a short introduction, then a commentary slightly longer than Augustine's text, as well as hundreds of footnotes. Each volume stands on its own for classroom use."-Daniel E. Burns, Review of Politics
"Michael Foley's orchestration of the Cassiciacum dialogues-a four-part translation, annotation, and commentary-renders Augustine's most important voice, the voice of the seeker, readily available to a broad readership. These are perfect teaching texts, and they are equally compelling for experts. This welcome return of the dialogues, separate and yet intimately related in Foley's handling of them, marks the most important literary event in Augustinian studies since Peter Brown's biography."-James Wetzel, Villanova University
"Yale University Press has excelled in publishing these beautiful volumes. Michael Foley models good translation, deeply engaged with the intricacies of the Latin and yet flowing elegantly and readably across the page. Foley's commentary introduces the reader carefully and invitingly into these important and complex texts from Augustine's first years as a Christian writer. They belong on the shelves of all who value the wisdom of the early Christian tradition."-Lewis Ayres, Durham University
"A truly impressive undertaking."-Marc D. Guerra, Assumption College
"A consistent, faithful and elegant translation of the crucial but relatively neglected dialogues by Augustine of Hippo."-Simon Oliver, Durham University
"Michael Foley's lively, precise new translation makes this dramatic dialogue accessible to today's reader, adding yet another dimension to our understanding of the endless breadth of Augustine's developing thought."-Brian Daley, University of Notre Dame
"Foley has provided a vital and long-needed service, giving us lively, engaging and accurate translations, and commentaries that are well-grounded without being overwhelming."-Erik Kenyon, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
"Michael P. Foley has given us a clear, compelling, and valuable resource in his new translation of Augustine's inaugural work as a Christian convert. . . . Foley's commentary and introductions somehow manage to be both informative and contextualizing without overshadowing the intricacies and insights of the text they are in service of."-Zachary Thomas Settle, Augustinian Studies
"Michael Foley's new translation of Augustine's Cassiciacum dialogues (of which the first two of a projected four volumes are now available) is clear, useful, and long overdue."-Elizabeth Klein, Theological Studies
"Foley is to be congratulated on providing a good critical edition and not least a readable translation of the text."-Nicholas Paxton, Melita Theologica
"Foley's translation reads easily and is transparent. Literal translation and identical formatting in each volume contribute substantially to the reader's insight into the plan of the Cassiciacum dialogues. Michael Foley's reading and translation are convincing in many respects."-Martin Claes, Augustiniana
"Foley's translations and commentaries on the Cassiciacum dialogues offer a smooth presentation of Augustine's ear
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-300-23853-2 (9780300238532)
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Schweitzer Classification