Grades of Freedom: Augustine and Descartes

Abstract

While Augustine distinguishes free choice from true liberty, his account of human freedom implies further distinctions which Augustine himself does not make explicit. More importantly, Augustine regards these distinct types of freedom as qualitatively different; some are clearly superior to others. Descartes also distinguishes qualitatively different types of freedom, and does so in a way that parallels Augustine's view. I here argue that Augustine divides freedom into four qualitatively distinct grades, and then demonstrate that Descartes' account of freedom is a rationalist adaptation of the theory of free choice found in Augustine.

Anselm’s Account of Freedom and De Casu Diaboli

“… See Brachtendorf (2) and Gilbert (6) for more on Augustine’s distinction between free choice and freedom. …”

Descartes on Human Freedom

“…See her “Freedom” and Self, Freedom, and Reason . Christopher Gilbert also focuses on this issue and argues that Descartes presents a rationalist adaptation of Augustine's theory of free choice (Gilbert).…”

Descartes and the Possibility of Enlightened Freedom

“…For fuller defense and explication of the idea that the blessed in heaven are perfectly enlightened yet 21 free, see Gilbert (2005). (Thanks to an anonymous referee for the reference.…”