The Age of Alypius, and the Lust of the Eyes.

Gerome, Jean-Leon. Pollice Verso. 1872. Oil on canvas. Phoenix.

Today we will consider more deeply Augustine's story, his struggles, his sins, and his virtues. One of distinctive features of  Dominion is that it chooses to be a "Classical" school. The reason for this is simple: every big question we might ask today has already been dealt with by some profound thinker of the Classical world; every experience or struggle has already been addressed by our ancient fathers and mothers; every vice struggled against, every virtue sought and praised. Simply put: there's wisdom there, and if we are going ask the same big questions about life, struggle with the same sins, pursue the same virtues, then we might do well to learn what and how are fathers responded and dealt with such things. An examples of this is the story of Alypius that Augustine relates in his Confessions. When he was dragged against his will to the gladiatorial games, Alypius "opened his eyes," writes Augustine, "and was struck with a deeper wound in his soul than the victim whom he desired to see had been in his body."      

Agenda:

1. Pater noster
2. Read Confessions for a bit. 
3. Review Confessions 1-4 Quiz
4. Review key sections in Confessions:
1. Alypius, the "gateway of the eyes," and the Age of Stripping and Looking
5. Review HW: 
1. Confessions Essay
2. Read Books VIII - IX by Monday (9/10)