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Parting Knowledge: Essays After Augustine
There are forms of knowing that seem either to come from a parting or to require one. Paradigmatically in Genesis, Adam parts from God in order to join in knowledge with his partner, the flesh of his flesh, and the result is a bereft but not unpromising knowledge, looking like a labor of love. Saint Augustine famously--some would say infamously--reads the Genesis paradigm of knowing as a story of original sin, where parting is both damnable and disfiguring and reuniting a matter of incomprehensible grace. Roughly half the essays in this collection engage directly with Augustine's theological animus and follow his thinking into self-division, perversity of will, grief, conversion, and the aspiration for transcendence. The remaining ones, more concerned with grace than with sin, bring an animus more distantly Augustinian to the preemption of forgiveness and the persistence of hell, morality and its limits, sexual piety, strange beauty, and a philosophy that takes in confession. The common pull of all the essays is towards the imperfection in self-knowledge--a place of disfigurement perhaps, but also a nod to transformation. ""In this collection, Wetzel gives readers the sense of being in a series of leisurely conversations with a wise and learned friend who refuses to simplify life's joys, mysteries, and sorrows, but still manages to shed light on them."" --Jeffrey Stout, Princeton University ""These are indeed 'essays after Augustine'; steeped in Augustinian scholarship, but not content with mere erudition, they remind us of the self-involving character of true philosophy and lure us into its pursuit. Wetzel loves the Augustine who is more certain of having received than of what he knows, and these pages invite us to walk with and after this Augustine."" --Jennifer A. Herdt, Yale Divinity School, Yale University ""No one approaches a 'theology of heart' with more chemistry and tact than James Wetzel. In the Catholic tradition, he discovers implacable insights that join freedom to love and wisdom to grief. This volume showcases Wetzel's exacting yet beautiful essays on Augustine, Anselm, Wittgenstein, and Kant."" --Kathleen Roberts Skerrett, University of Richmond ""In these deep and often beautiful essays, James Wetzel teaches us how to be Augustine's student, how to become better readers of our particular griefs, how to acknowledge the good that comes as beauty. There is no better interpreter of Augustine working today."" --John Bowlin, Princeton Theological Seminary James Wetzel is Professor of Philosophy at Villanova University and the first permanent holder of the Augustinian Chair in the Thought of St. Augustine. He is the author of Augustine and the Limits of Virtue (1992) and Augustine: A Guide for the Perplexed (2010), and the editor of Augustine's City of God: A Critical Guide.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published August 8, 2013
About the author
James Wetzel
15 booksJames Wetzel is the Augustinian Chair in the Thought of St. Augustine of the
Philosophy Department at Villanova University.
His Areas of focus are Augustine and Platonism, moral psychology, metaphysics of evil, mysticism and mythology.
His areas of interest are post-Hellenic philosophy (Rome and its discontents), modern philosophy and the cogito (the Cartesian turn), post-Cartesianism and philosophy's end (Wittgenstein).
His work has received funding from the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation.
Philosophy Department at Villanova University.
His Areas of focus are Augustine and Platonism, moral psychology, metaphysics of evil, mysticism and mythology.
His areas of interest are post-Hellenic philosophy (Rome and its discontents), modern philosophy and the cogito (the Cartesian turn), post-Cartesianism and philosophy's end (Wittgenstein).
His work has received funding from the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 23, 2026
I recently read Parting Knowledge: Essays after Augustine by James Wetzel, and I found it to be an intellectually rich and deeply reflective collection of essays. Wetzel engages profoundly with the legacy of Augustine of Hippo, exploring the complexities of knowledge, separation, grace, and the inner life with remarkable clarity and depth. The essays invite readers into a thoughtful examination of how human understanding often emerges through experiences of loss, division, and longing.
What stood out to me most was the author’s ability to navigate difficult theological and philosophical themes without losing the reader in overly technical language. Wetzel thoughtfully explores Augustine’s reflections on sin, the divided will, and the human search for transcendence while also expanding the conversation to topics such as forgiveness, moral limits, and the persistence of hope in the midst of human imperfection. Each essay feels carefully crafted and intellectually engaging.
Although the themes are complex, the book rewards patient reading with profound insights into self-knowledge and transformation. It is a thoughtful and stimulating work that will especially appeal to readers interested in philosophy, theology, and the enduring influence of Augustine’s thought.
What stood out to me most was the author’s ability to navigate difficult theological and philosophical themes without losing the reader in overly technical language. Wetzel thoughtfully explores Augustine’s reflections on sin, the divided will, and the human search for transcendence while also expanding the conversation to topics such as forgiveness, moral limits, and the persistence of hope in the midst of human imperfection. Each essay feels carefully crafted and intellectually engaging.
Although the themes are complex, the book rewards patient reading with profound insights into self-knowledge and transformation. It is a thoughtful and stimulating work that will especially appeal to readers interested in philosophy, theology, and the enduring influence of Augustine’s thought.
March 23, 2026
Reading Parting Knowledge: Essays after Augustine by James Wetzel was a genuinely enriching experience. The book offers a thoughtful collection of essays that reflect deeply on the philosophical and theological legacy of Augustine of Hippo. Wetzel examines how experiences of separation, moral struggle, and longing shape the way human beings come to understand themselves and their relationship with God.
What I particularly appreciated about the book is the author’s reflective and probing approach to difficult themes such as the divided will, forgiveness, and the limits of human morality. The essays invite readers to reconsider familiar Augustinian ideas while also exploring new philosophical questions about grace, suffering, and the search for transcendence. Wetzel’s writing is thoughtful and precise, yet it remains engaging for readers willing to reflect carefully on the ideas presented.
Although the essays require attentive reading, the insights they offer are deeply rewarding. The book encourages readers to see imperfection in self-knowledge not simply as a weakness but as an opportunity for growth and transformation. It is a valuable work for anyone interested in theology, philosophy, and the enduring relevance of Augustine’s thought.
What I particularly appreciated about the book is the author’s reflective and probing approach to difficult themes such as the divided will, forgiveness, and the limits of human morality. The essays invite readers to reconsider familiar Augustinian ideas while also exploring new philosophical questions about grace, suffering, and the search for transcendence. Wetzel’s writing is thoughtful and precise, yet it remains engaging for readers willing to reflect carefully on the ideas presented.
Although the essays require attentive reading, the insights they offer are deeply rewarding. The book encourages readers to see imperfection in self-knowledge not simply as a weakness but as an opportunity for growth and transformation. It is a valuable work for anyone interested in theology, philosophy, and the enduring relevance of Augustine’s thought.
March 23, 2026
After purchasing Parting Knowledge: Essays after Augustine by James Wetzel, I was impressed by how thoughtfully the essays engage with the philosophical and theological questions surrounding knowledge, grace, and human limitation. Wetzel’s writing demonstrates both deep scholarship and genuine reflection, making the book feel both academic and deeply contemplative.
One of the most compelling elements of the book is the way it explores the tension between separation and understanding. Drawing inspiration from the work of Augustine of Hippo, Wetzel examines themes such as grief, conversion, forgiveness, and the complexities of moral life. His analysis encourages readers to think more deeply about the limits of self-knowledge and the ways in which spiritual reflection can open paths toward transformation.
While this is certainly a serious and scholarly work, it is also deeply rewarding. Readers who appreciate philosophical theology will find the essays both challenging and illuminating. It is a thoughtful contribution to the ongoing conversation about Augustine’s influence and the enduring questions about human understanding and grace.
One of the most compelling elements of the book is the way it explores the tension between separation and understanding. Drawing inspiration from the work of Augustine of Hippo, Wetzel examines themes such as grief, conversion, forgiveness, and the complexities of moral life. His analysis encourages readers to think more deeply about the limits of self-knowledge and the ways in which spiritual reflection can open paths toward transformation.
While this is certainly a serious and scholarly work, it is also deeply rewarding. Readers who appreciate philosophical theology will find the essays both challenging and illuminating. It is a thoughtful contribution to the ongoing conversation about Augustine’s influence and the enduring questions about human understanding and grace.
March 23, 2026
Parting Knowledge: Essays after Augustine by James Wetzel is a fascinating and carefully written exploration of philosophical and theological themes inspired by the work of Augustine of Hippo. The essays examine the nature of knowledge, the experience of separation, and the human search for meaning with impressive depth and insight.
What I particularly appreciated about this collection is how the author balances rigorous scholarship with reflective writing. Wetzel addresses complex topics such as the divided self, the limits of morality, forgiveness, and the persistence of hope even in the presence of human imperfection. His reflections encourage readers to consider how moments of disorientation or “parting” can actually open the door to deeper understanding.
This book is not a casual read, but it is highly rewarding for those interested in theology, philosophy, and the enduring influence of Augustine’s thought. It offers thoughtful perspectives on the challenges of self-knowledge and the possibility of transformation through grace and reflection.
What I particularly appreciated about this collection is how the author balances rigorous scholarship with reflective writing. Wetzel addresses complex topics such as the divided self, the limits of morality, forgiveness, and the persistence of hope even in the presence of human imperfection. His reflections encourage readers to consider how moments of disorientation or “parting” can actually open the door to deeper understanding.
This book is not a casual read, but it is highly rewarding for those interested in theology, philosophy, and the enduring influence of Augustine’s thought. It offers thoughtful perspectives on the challenges of self-knowledge and the possibility of transformation through grace and reflection.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews