Aquinas and Augustine

I understood that both philosophers are ideologically similar because they both practice catholic faith which they upheld at every instance but differed in their form of philosophical explanations. Perhaps the difference in the existing social context at the time of their writings conspicuously marked the difference in their form. Aquinas, like Augustine was a mentor and ardent supporter of natural laws but was very sensitive to human reason. Augustine believed in natural law, arguing that human freedom and happiness is incomplete without the presence of God. While Aquinas believed in human reason in understanding supernatural revelations, Augustine remained convinced in the illumination, divine inspiration and wisdom, rejecting human reason as a source intellectual understanding. Both men had great impact in the catholic teaching with Aquinas considered the brain behind the catholic dogma. Augustine did not distinguish between philosophy and theology while Aquinas clearly distinguished between them; perhaps influenced by his embracement of the thoughts and writings of Aristotle and Plato and deeply involved in unifying them with the catholic dogma.

I understood that both philosophers are ideologically similar because they both practice catholic faith which they upheld at every instance but differed in their form of philosophical explanations. Perhaps the difference in the existing social context at the time of their writings conspicuously marked the difference in their form. Aquinas, like Augustine was a mentor and ardent supporter of natural laws but was very sensitive to human reason. Augustine believed in natural law, arguing that human freedom and happiness is incomplete without the presence of God. While Aquinas believed in human reason in understanding supernatural revelations, Augustine remained convinced in the illumination, divine inspiration and wisdom, rejecting human reason as a source intellectual understanding. Both men had great impact in the catholic teaching with Aquinas considered the brain behind the catholic dogma. Augustine did not distinguish between philosophy and theology while Aquinas clearly distinguished between them; perhaps influenced by his embracement of the thoughts and writings of Aristotle and Plato and deeply involved in unifying them with the catholic dogma.