Abstract

Augustine of Hippo composed the Contra Academicos during his retreat at Cassiciacum, where he had gone to prepare for his upcoming baptism, as an attempt to free himself from the grip of skepticism. Most commentators, particularly recent commentators, concentrate on the epistemological aspects of the dialogue, trying to judge the validity of the philosophical argument against skepticism. Doing this, however, they miss the point of the dialogue. After surveying the criticism, and taking a look at some questions that must form a necessary background study, I turn to an orderly discussion of the dialogue itself. It is only through such an orderly investigation, examining both the argument and the action, that the author's intent can be understood. In order to understand fully the purpose of the dialogue, I approach it with no pre-conceived ideas of what Augustine is trying to do. I consider all the elements, including the two epistles to Romanianus that introduce the first and second books, and I pay particular attention to those places where Augustine makes reference, either directly or obliquely, to what he is trying to do. By the end of the dialogue, Augustine has proved to his own satisfaction that it is possible that truth can be found. Thus the way is left open for faith, a way that Augustine has previously considered blocked by the arguments of the Academics. At the same time, Augustine raises the question of the veracity of the Academics in saying that truth cannot be found. This leads to the question of esoteric writing, both among the Academics and with regard to Cicero. I end the dissertation with an examination of Augustine's method of writing. Having examined Augustine's use of words in the Contra Academicos, I consider the role of esoteric writing in the classical authors and in the early Christian authors, and consider the difference between classical and Christian esotericism