The structure of the 'De magistro'

The dialogue 'De magistro' has commonly been divided by editors and commentators into two fundamental parts: a conversation with Adeodatus on the signs of language and on what they signify, and then, as the crux of the work, a discussion (or rather an oratio perpetua by Augustine) on Christ as the I...

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Bibliographic Details
Author:Frederick J. Crosson
Published: S.n., s.l., 1989
Volume:35
Pages:120-127
Periodical:Revue des Études Augustiniennes
Format:Article
Topic:- Works > Dialogues / Early works > De magistro > Topics > Structure
Status:Active
Description
Summary:The dialogue 'De magistro' has commonly been divided by editors and commentators into two fundamental parts: a conversation with Adeodatus on the signs of language and on what they signify, and then, as the crux of the work, a discussion (or rather an oratio perpetua by Augustine) on Christ as the Interior Teacher. This essay argues that the dialogue is more properly divided into the three parts indicated in § 4.7. One of the conclusions which follows from this division is that men can teach in the strict sense of the word, namely showinf or exhibiting what is signified, but that Christ alone teaches scientiam.