POLITICAL DOCTRINE OF AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO: DIRECTIONS OF RECONSTRUCTION
Abstract
The article provides an analysis of the current state of scholarly knowledge concerning the political dimension of Augustine of Hippo’s teachings. It explores the possibility of conducting a systematic historical-philosophical reconstruction of his political philosophy and substantiates the necessity of addressing this task within the context of the national academic tradition. The author argues that, at present, both in international and local cultural spheres, there is no clear and structured understanding of the construction of Augustine’s political philosophy.
One of the main factors influencing the difficulty of isolating and holistically perceiving the political philosophy of this great thinker is the overwhelming presence of his philosophy of history. The grandeur and scale of Augustine’s historical thought often overshadow, if not entirely obscure, the political component of his teachings. However, this problem can be resolved through a systematic historical-philosophical reconstruction, which would allow for a transparent distinction between Augustine's philosophy of history and his political philosophy, clearly outlining their substantive components and the relationship between them within the broader framework of his doctrine.
The core challenge typically lies in the need for a precise understanding of the context of Augustine's political philosophy, which was shaped by his historical and philosophical views – views that, in turn, are an inseparable part of the theology of the Doctor of Grace. But it is also important to reveal the sources and concepts that influenced his philosophy, to conduct a terminological study. Thus, the article identifies possible stages of a comprehensive historical and philosophical reconstruction of Augustine's political philosophy.
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