Epicureans, stoics and christians. An interpretation of the concepts of happiness described by saint augustine of hippo in de beata vita

Abstract

The present research argues that Saint Augustine of Hippo subtly alluded to the Epicureans and Stoics in De Beata Vita (On the Happy Life) without mentioning them explicitly. The allusions in this dialogue became evident in De Trinitate and his sermons on Saint Paul, which now provides an opportunity to convert subtlety into clarity. By interpreting the conceptions of happiness described by the African philosopher in De Beata Vita, it was discovered that a discussion between the Epicureans, Stoics, and Christians (the tripartite division proposed by Saint Augustine himself in his sermons) underlies this dialogue, illustrating the following divergences: 1) for the Hellenistic schools, serenity can be found in an interior disposition, whereas for Christians, the longing for a transcendent Good is a sine qua non for the happy life, and 2) the Stoics and Epicureans propose to seek happiness by limiting desires (cupiditas), whereas Christians exalt the velle or desiderare of the Supreme Good, that is, God. However, it should not be forgotten that there is also a convergence in moderating desires (Christians moderate cupiditas without abandoning desiderare).