The Existence and Nature of the Human Soul

The aim of this dissertation is to present and explain the concept of the human soul as it is found in the writings of Saint Augustine. The soul of man was for Saint Augustine an object of life-long study and investigation., He was not particularly concerned about tfie soul as such, the plant soul, or the irrational soul of the brute, except insofar as a study of these might serve to throw some light on the nature and activities of the human soul. His interest in the soul of man was not actuated by mere curiosity to know for the sake of knowing, but he sought to know the human soul as a means whereby he might arrive at a clearer and better understanding of the Supreme Being. The concept of the human soul as it appears in the writings of Saint Augustine is not set forth in a sys- tematic manner, but the elements that enter into its makeup are found widely scattered through his various philosophical, apologetical, polemical, exegetical, and dog-matical works. He wrote a few special treatises on the human soul, but he never attempted to construct an organized philosophy of the soul.