In Book 10, Augustine talks about memory, pulling on the Platonic idea that we know all things but forgot them, but can retrieve them. He uses this type of thinking to ask how we may know God without any previous knowledge of God, claiming that, just as with Platonic thought, we already know of God from before we arrived on this earth, and the image of God rests somewhere in the back of our minds. This is an idea I can find merit in, as God created humans himself, so it would make sense that some part of us would remember and be able to recognize God. However, I have trouble believing the Platonic thought on pre-knowledge of the soul. I am a believer of gaining knowledge through experience, as I do not see how one can suddenly gain the knowledge to solve a complex equation without someone first showing them how it is to be solved. Learning through experience also applies to God, as at least for me, it is more logical, and even perhaps better, to learn of God and come to God through your personal experience with God rather than the recollection of God.
I commented on Sierra and Dallas' posts.
I believe that we gain knowledge, rather than recollect information we previously knew. However, I also see the merit in a part of us being able to remember and recognize God, our Creator. I think that this is a question that only God knows and maybe one day someone will have the answer.
ReplyDeleteI had the same thought when I read that part. It distinctly reminded me of Plato and his writing of Socrates debating the idea of memory with one of his students. But I agree with you, Daniel. I think it is cool how God creates us so somewhere deep down inside us, there are thoughts and questions about a creator. That is why we have the big questions about life and belonging and identity.
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