Augustinian phenomenology
Encyclopedia
Augustinian phenomenology is a relatively new field of study within phenomenology. Augustinian phenomenology attempts to reconcile the so-called existential
theology of St. Augustine of Hippo with the methodology of Martin Heidegger
, Max Scheler
, Maurice Merleau-Ponty
and other phenomenologists. This synthesis of Augustine and phenomenology was perhaps first attempted by the late Anglican theologian, John Macquarrie
, in his existential theology. The term "Augustinian phenomenology" is being used today by a number of philosophers and theologians, most notably by Craig J. N. de Paulo and Joseph O'Leary. While it is different for each philosopher or theologian, it is essentially a Christian existential phenomenology that focuses its study on human anxiety, restlessness, conversion, the call of conscience and the experience of fallenness and death. It can also be said that in each case, it is a methodological reclaim of Augustine and the religious origins of existentialism and phenomenology.
Existentialism
Existentialism is a term applied to a school of 19th- and 20th-century philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject—not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual...
theology of St. Augustine of Hippo with the methodology of Martin Heidegger
Martin Heidegger
Martin Heidegger was a German philosopher known for his existential and phenomenological explorations of the "question of Being."...
, Max Scheler
Max Scheler
Max Scheler was a German philosopher known for his work in phenomenology, ethics, and philosophical anthropology...
, Maurice Merleau-Ponty
Maurice Merleau-Ponty
Maurice Merleau-Ponty was a French phenomenological philosopher, strongly influenced by Karl Marx, Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger in addition to being closely associated with Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir...
and other phenomenologists. This synthesis of Augustine and phenomenology was perhaps first attempted by the late Anglican theologian, John Macquarrie
John Macquarrie
John Macquarrie FBA TD was a Scottish theologian and philosopher, the author of Principles of Christian Theology and Jesus Christ in Modern Thought...
, in his existential theology. The term "Augustinian phenomenology" is being used today by a number of philosophers and theologians, most notably by Craig J. N. de Paulo and Joseph O'Leary. While it is different for each philosopher or theologian, it is essentially a Christian existential phenomenology that focuses its study on human anxiety, restlessness, conversion, the call of conscience and the experience of fallenness and death. It can also be said that in each case, it is a methodological reclaim of Augustine and the religious origins of existentialism and phenomenology.