Dallas' Imaginary Talks With Dead Philosophers: Augustine of Hippo (Dallas Adams, Section 8, Final Post #2)

St. Augustine of Hippo

Key: IN - Interviewer
        AH - Augustine of Hippo (350-453)

IN: Tonight, our special guest is Augustine of Hippo. Tell us, what are your views on human freewill?

AH: I don't believe that humans have freewill. I believe that everyone's life is predetermined by God. He lays out your whole life for you, your choices were already determined.

IN: So in our time here on this earth and time in it's infinity, we're only acting as God intends for us to? What about all the ungodly acts we commit?

AH: First of all, time is finite. If God Himself created time, He also has the ability to end it, just like this world. Humans are to act morally. We are all to act as if He is right beside us. That being said, If it weren't for such a loving and forgiving God, we wouldn't have the capacity to be moral. We don't deserve His guidance, therefore, we should at least act as if we do.

IN: That's a bit pessimistic don't you think? Is it not enough that we all strive to be moral and fall a bit short? After all, we are human.

AH: No. If you know what is moral and what is immoral, there is no reason why you should fall short. the Only reason why humans fall short is because they give into temptation. Temptation is very easy to avoid if you're strong enough to resist it.

IN: Next subjectf I've heard you're really passionate about education?

AH: That is true. I've actually formulated 3 categories of students and how each is to be taught.

IN: Can you further dissect that for our audience?

AH: The first type of student is the student who has been well-educated by knowledgeable teachers; the second is the student who has had no education; and lastly, the student who has had a poor education, but believes himself to be well-educated. If a student has been well educated in a wide variety of subjects, the teacher must be careful not to repeat what they have already learned, but to challenge the student with material which they do not know thoroughly. With the student who has had no education, the teacher must be patient, willing to repeat things until the student understands, and sympathetic. The student with an inferior education who believes he understands something when he does not is by far the most difficult to deal with. You must teach this type of student the difference between "having words and having understanding," and help the student to remain humble with his acquisition of knowledge.


IN: That's quite interesting. I wonder how many teachers can truly identify with that philosophy of students. You've also founded the style of restrained teaching. What exactly does that mean?


AH: Well this teaching style ensures the students' full understanding of a concept because the teacher does not overload the student with too much material; focuses on one topic at a time; helps them discover what they don't understand, rather than moving on too quickly; anticipates & answers questions; and helps them learn to solve difficulties and find solutions to problems.


IN: That'd be a dream if most instructors used that style of teaching. Unfortunately, they don't. What styles of teaching do you philosophize teachers usually use instead?


AH: Teachers use either one of two styles, the mixed style or the grand style. The mixed style includes complex and sometimes showy language to help students see the beautiful artistry of the subject they are studying. But the grand style isn't as showy as the mixed style. The grand style is exciting and heartfelt, often littered with many hands on projects and illustrations of the subject at hand with the purpose of putting the same passion in the students' hearts as theirs.


IN: Thank you for joining us tonight Augustine of Hippo. It's been a grand interview!