The predominant Christian perspective on our natural environment, prior to shifting attitudes over the past decades, had emphasized its role as the venue for the human journey towards redemption. While the beauty and plenitude of flora and fauna were seen as evidence of divine creativity, non-human life on earth was considered predominantly in terms of its usefulness to human well-being. In academic reflections on the historical development of Christian attitudes towards our environment and non-human animals, St. Augustine of Hippo has often featured as an early and influential advocate of such an anthropocentric and hierarchical view of nature. Recent voices, however, consider him a more positive role model, stressing his respect for all life on earth and his allegorical exploration of non-human creation, especially in pastoral contexts. This paper gathers and contextualizes Augustine’s most important viewpoints on the topic for the purpose of gaining a balanced overview of his legacy. 

There is a precirculated paper for attendees to read ahead of this event, and there will be responses to this paper from Paula Kane (Religious Studies, Pitt) and Patricia Cox Miller (Religion, Syracuse University).