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Document Details : Title: Words and Genealogy Subtitle: Augustine on Race, Language, Ethnicity Author(s): FEICHTINGER, Hans Journal: Augustiniana Volume: 72 Issue: 2 Date: 2022 Pages: 217-247 DOI: 10.2143/AUG.72.2.3291571 Abstract : This paper is an attempt at exploring what Augustine has to say about issues of race and ethnicity, as well as some related topics. Looking at how he approached these topics will help us both to understand better how these concepts and realities have evolved in history and to put contemporary viewpoints into perspective. For these purposes, I analyze what Augustine said and how he spoke about matters of (what today we call) diversity. Starting from Augustine’s well-researched comments on the Jews, the paper focuses on his comments on African, Punic, and other non-Latin cultures and languages. Those remarks occurred in biblical commentary and in how Augustine dealt with language issues and historical questions. By determining the contexts, language and categories in which Augustine addressed these issues, we see more clearly the point of Augustine’s universalist approach and understand how his world was both similar to and different from ours. |
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