'Belief is up to us'

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 arg...

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Bibliographic Details
Author:Jonathan Barnes
Published: S.n., s.l., 2006
Volume:106
Pages:189-206
Language:English
Periodical:Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society
Number:1
Format:Article
Topic:- Doctrine > Eschatology, State of Man After Death
Status:Needs Review
Description
Summary: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."