Against the Academics
Introduction
Date: 386/387 (soon after Augustine's conversion to Christianity)
Place: Cassiacum
Characters:
Augustine - leader of philosophical community; moderates and direct debate
Romanianus - addressee of the work; Augustine wishes to excite him to study philosophy
Licentius - Romanianus' son; a young member of Augustine's philosophical community; a debater
Trygetius - young member of Augustine's philosophical community; a debater
Alypius - member of Augustine's philosophical community
Background:
Augustine had first been a member of the Manichaean sect, but later leaned on Cicero's academic (or skeptical) philosophy. Finally, however, he settled on Christian Platonism. Against the Academics is addressed to Romanianus, an old friend and benefactor of Augustine's. Augustine had persuaded Romanius to become a Manichee; now he seeks to convert him to the true philosophy. By writing against the Academic philosophy, Augustine hopes Romanianus will be able to move straight from Manicheeism to Christian Platonism without the intervening skeptical stage that Augustine himself underwent.
Theme:
Further Reading:Peter King, Introduction to Against the Academicians and The Teacher