Flashcards: Understanding Human Nature and Sin — 24 cards

Human nature — definition?

Innate dispositions humans are born with.

Dispositions — role?

Innate tendencies influencing behavior and morals.

Natural mind — function?

Operates according to innate dispositions.

Augustine — human nature?

Exists but is corrupted by original sin.

Original sin — concept?

Inheritance of fallen human nature from Adam.

Predisposition to sin — evidence?

Humans naturally inclined to sin, observed personally and societally.

Corruption of human nature — cause?

Inherited from Adam after the Fall.

The Fall — event?

Disobedience of Adam and Eve leading to sin.

Garden of Eden — state?

Original paradise of innocence before the Fall.

Pre-Fall rational control — state?

Reason controlled bodily desires.

Post-Fall — change?

Loss of rational control, corruption of nature.

Consequences of Fall — examples?

Pain in childbirth, toil, innate tendency to evil.

Inheritance of sin — mechanism?

Inherited through invisible power in procreation.

Seminal presence — meaning?

All humans spiritually/biologically in Adam.

Massa damnata — meaning?

Collective condemned human state due to original sin.

Love: Cupiditas — nature?

Selfish love of earthly, material things.

Love: Caritas — nature?

Selfless love of others, aligned with virtue.

Concupiscence — definition?

Bodily desires overpowering reason due to original sin.

Bodily desire — example?

Sexual urges acting independently of reason.

Scientific critique — key point?

Genetics shows diversity incompatible with two original humans.

Biological errors — Augustine?

Homunculus theory: tiny humans inside sperm.

Human progress — evidence?

Decreased violence and increased moral development.

Grace — role?

Divine gift enabling salvation beyond human effort.

Predestination — concept?

God fixed eternal fate of individuals in advance.