Abstract

The series of which Bourke's study is a part has two professed aims: to engage students with the history of philosophy by way of text and commentary, and to offer teachers of philosophy a summary account of scholarly perspectives on important historical figures. In principle these somewhat disparate aims can both be served if the text selected touches upon the central concerns of the philosopher under discussion, and if the commentary develops the appropriate connections. Naturally this task will be more difficult for less systematic thinkers, and for thinkers less easily assimilated to the concerns of contemporary philosophers. Having to find Augustine his place within this series, Bourke clearly had his work cut out for him.