Philosophy of Humanity

Anthropology (Philosophy of Humanity)

Saint Augustine

In the Middle Ages, European philosophy was grounded in Christian teachings about humanity and employed the conceptual and terminological frameworks of Plato and Aristotle. Thus, the entire European philosophical anthropology of the medieval period must be viewed within the context of Christian doctrine and the ancient philosophical tradition. Christian thinkers built their reflections on human nature upon these foundations, leaving behind a rich philosophical heritage. Saint Augustine made the most significant contribution to the development of medieval human philosophy. He conceived of humanity as the supreme creation of God, comprising both body and soul. God created humans as inherently good, rational, and free. Through this freedom, individuals gained the ability to choose their way of life independently. The first humans, Adam and Eve, were the progenitors of humankind. Having made a wrong choice, they sinned, and since this original sin was committed by the first ancestors of humanity, it is known as original sin. Augustine believed that original sin is transmitted from parents to children through inheritance. Thus, every person is born tainted by sin. While humans inherit only their bodies from their parents, their souls are individually bestowed by God. As the souls of children are not connected to those of their parents, original sin cannot be passed through the soul.

By affirming that original sin is transmitted through the body, Augustine established significant principles for European culture. After Augustine, everything associated with the body was viewed as tainted by sin. Medieval European culture focused on the spiritual realm while assigning secondary importance to corporeality. Since humanity is born sinful and sin enslaves and makes individuals prone to sin, they are susceptible to sinful inclinations. Although God endowed humans with free will, sin renders this will dependent. For example, the sin of alcoholism makes a person addicted to alcohol, while the sin of sloth transforms a person into idleness. Having sinned, a person gravitates towards sin and finds it difficult to escape this passion. Hence, sin renders a person evil. One can rid oneself of original sin through baptism, but liberation from its consequences requires immense spiritual and physical effort.

Deliverance from sin and its consequences involves a synergy (cooperation) between God and humanity. Neither can a person free themselves from sin alone, due to their inherent weakness, nor can God redeem and save a person against their will, as God respects the free will He has granted to humanity. Therefore, to rectify human nature marred by original sin, divine assistance, known as grace, and human will are necessary. A person must choose the good and express this choice through their actions, that is, through good deeds. Faith in God and good deeds enable one to restore their nature and attain the original state of unity with God.