奥古斯丁论信仰的发端(Initium Fidei)——行动的恩典与意愿的自由决断并存的哲学可能

Augustine's Initium Fidei: Possible Philosophical Coexistence of Grace of Action and Freedom of Will

本文重构了奥古斯丁有关信仰的发端的理论反思的发展历程,重点考察了神圣恩典在信仰这一行为中对于人的意愿这一心理过程所发生的实际作用,以此表明奥古斯丁晚年强调恩典的绝对权威和他逐步深化地对意愿及其自由的哲学理解是相互印证的。通过将奥古斯丁的信仰的发端这一观念重置回其理论语境,我借助奥古斯丁晚年对意愿和权能的反思来论证,他最后有关神圣恩典的严格立场和他对人的道德主体性的真诚捍卫是可以相容的。

This paper gives a review of the development of Augustine's concept of initium fidei with an emphasis on the actual effects of divine grace in the psychological process of human will related to faith.It aims to demonstrate that Augustine's stress on the absolute authority of grace in his final years accords with his deeper understanding of will and its freedom.With this relocation of Augustine's conception of initium fidei in its theoretical context,the paper adopts Augustine's later reflections on will (uoluntas) and power (potestas) ,and argues that his final rigid position on divine grace is compatible with his sincere defense of human agency.