Justice as Defined by Augustine and Aristotle Essay -- The City of God

Justice as Defined by Augustine and Aristotle Justice removed, then, what are kingdoms but great bands of robbers? (Augustine, The metropolis of God against the Pagans, p. 1471). Augustine makes quite a claim here. The presence or absence of umpire, he implies, can make or break a great kingdom. What is this justice that Augustine speaks of? Is it the philosopher kings that define Platos just city2, or perhaps Aristotles good life3? Augustine approaches the challenge of defining justice in a different, but not inescapably contradictory way, than his predecessors. In The City of God against the Pagans, mans relationship with justice is only secondary for Augustine, justice is about God. The title of his book totally reveals that Augustine is deeply religious. Rarely in City of God is there a discussion that does not have divine elements or references, and his discussion of justice is no exception. For Augustine, justice seems to be the combination of two things recognition by man of his place in the world below God, and strict (or as strict as possible by a mortal) observance of Gods laws. The second part is actually the easier one of the two to examine. Man is simply supposed to honor the teachings professed in Christianitys religious texts to the best of his ability. The interpretation of the correct ways to follow those laws is another matter, but one that Augustine pays little aid to. Augustines attention is focused rather on mans recognition of his place below God, and in a greater sense, on mans pry for God. impeded by mans own humilityespecially when the divine providence justly resisted their pride, so that it might show by comparison with them that i... ...ry opinion would opt Aristotle, and I am inclined to agree. Aristotles secular, capitalist-tolerant view seems like it would jive more with todays society than would Augustines deeply religious near-asceticism. In America, we live in a world of material posse ssions and manage to live better than citizens of any other nation, and most would agree we are not lifetime in a world of sin or on the edge of turmoil. Then again, some would. Personally, I envision justice as a combination between ambition and moderationright down Aristotles alley. In addition, I appreciate Aristotles optimism and faith in us mortals, optimism not as present in Augustines vision.1 Augustine. The City of God against the Pagans. Trans. R. W. Dyson. Cambridge, 1998.2 Platos Republic3 Aristotles Politics4 Aristotle. Politics. Trans. Ernest Barker. Oxford 1995.