VII —`BELIEF IS UP TO US'

Author: Barnes, Jonathan

Source: Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, Volume 106, Number 2, March 2006 , pp. 187-204(18)

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Abstract:

Augustine has an argument which goes like this: (1) Belief is assent; (2) Assent is up to us: therefore (3) Belief is up to us. The conclusion is–or was thought to be–a doctrine essential to Christian eschatology. The two premisses come from pagan philosophy. Sections I II set out the argument and its background. Section III is theological. Section IV looks at the conclusion, with the help of Aristotle, while sections V and VI look at the premisses. The last three sections of the paper consider some Stoic views pertinent to premiss (2), and the reply to those views offered by Alexander of Aphrodisias.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9264.2006.00193.x

Affiliations: 1: Université de Paris IV—Sorbonne Paris France

Publication date: 2006-03-01