Comparing Saint Augustine and Charles Taylors Ideas of Authenticity Es

Comparing Saint Augustine and Charles Taylors Ideas of AuthenticityThe notion of authenticity is one of self-fulfillment and Charles Taylor recognizes that there are dangers in accepting modernitys drive toward self-realization. However, he is not willing to give up on this idea of authenticity. In The Ethics of Authenticity, Taylor lays go forth a system of thought and honorables that connect our search for self-realization with our desire towards self- induction. He is attempting to keep a form of laissez faire while cool off operational under objectivism. He will point out the good and damaging aspects of the modern culture of an authentic self and mention the importance of some moral measurement system. Taylor claims that St. Augustine initiated a concept of inwardness, a turning towards the inner self to find truth and the idea of authenticity is simply a further development of Augustines inwardness. In this paper I will discuss in detail Taylors idea of authenticity t he pros and cons. I will lay out some of his arguments as to why he thinks this idea originated with Augustine. I will talk about Augustines view on the inner man and how this is attached with knowledge and memory. I will then talk about some of Augustines views. Freedom is also an important aspect to moral conduct so I will explore both Taylors and Augustines view of liberty. Finally, I will argue that the angel of authenticity (although it contains some truth) is not an ideal that Augustine would promote. Three Modern WorriesTaylor begins the book by discussing three worries of modern society. The first is individualism which is selfish and self-centered. The modern concept is bothersome because people see freedom as loosening the chains of traditional notions of hierarchy. We have become a society where we are breaking away from older moral horizons. Everything in creation is connected in some way and when there is a loose hierarchy there follows a loose meaning of life. The d ark situation of individualism the focuses on the self in such a way that it flattens and narrows the framework which give significance and meaning to human life. The second trouble is the dominant anxiety given to instrumental reason. Instrumental reason values efficiency above all other goods. Nothing else is considered sacred or has intrinsic value, only unessential value. The question is how usef... ...y for us humans. I think it is, but only to the extent that we open ourselves to God, which means in fact, overstepping the limits set in theory by exclusive humanisms. Taylors idea of authenticity does give way to many warnings. It is analogous to walking a tight rope. If one leans likewise much to one side (which in all reality may not be much at all) it can ensue to disaster. He adopts a lot from the Romantics and the focus is too much on the individual. Although he does try to get away from too much emphasis on the individual by mentioning the horizons of significance h e still does not give us an idea of what this hierarchy consists. People may look inside themselves to formulate this hierarchy but this again can lead to subjectivism. It seems to suggest that there could be a variety of heirachies and who is to say that one is better than the other. Also the ambiguity of his idea of freedom only leads to more ambiguity on his idea of authenticity. These are all problems that Taylor must address if one is to get a clearer concept of his project. If Saint Augustine were to read Taylor I think he would find these worries and suggest that Taylors central focus should be on God.