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still the teachings of the philosophers are not the…

“still the teachings of the philosophers are not the commandments of the gods, but the discoveries of men, who, at the prompting of their own speculative ability, made efforts to discover the hidden laws of nature, and the right and wrong in ethics, and in dialectic what was consequent according to…” quote by Augustine of Hippo
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““still the teachings of the philosophers are not the commandments of the gods, but the discoveries of men, who, at the prompting of their own speculative ability, made efforts to discover the hidden laws of nature, and the right and wrong in ethics, and in dialectic what was consequent according to the rules of logic, and what was inconsequent and erroneous.””

Augustine of Hippo

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Philosophical inquiry discovers natural laws and ethics, distinct from divine command, using reason and logic.

In simple terms: Reason discovers truth, not divine decree.

Key Takeaway

Use reason to explore ethics and nature.

Themes

philosophy reason ethics knowledge

Mood

reflective inquisitive

Type

philosophical theological

When to use this quote

  • academic study
  • personal reflection
  • debate
  • education

Key Concepts

rationalism epistemology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What role does faith play in reasoning?
  • How can we ensure logical rigor?
A Different Perspective

Reason may be limited by human bias.

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