Augustin on Time, History and the Soul in Their Interconnection with the Universe (On the Question of the Relationship between Platonism and Christianity)

The paper is devoted to the analysis of Augustine’s (354—430) ideas on time, history, and the soul, reconstructed from relevant phrases and fragments from the Confessions (Confessiones), Literal Commentary on Genesis (De Genesi ad Litteram), and The City of God (De civitate Dei). The connection between individual Augustine’s ideas and the provisions of Platonic concepts is noted. It is shown how Augustine, adapting them to the needs of his epoche, understands time and its role in the structure of the world; discusses the history of humanity and the purpose of the soul in the context of the Christian tradition. The reasoning is built on the basis of Augustine’s reading and understanding of the first line of the Book of Genesis (Gen. 1: 1): “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...”.