Publication Details

Abstract

The idea of homo interior (inner man) was widespread in the ancient world. The term “ό έσω άνθρωπος” was first used in an invariant form by Plato to describe the inner nature of man, his highest rational capabilities. This was afterwards accepted and transformed by various authors, especially by Hellenistic Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria, and Greek Church Fathers Origenes and Gregory of Nyssa. St. Augustine was the first one among them, however, who transformed established hermeneutical approach to “homo interior” by shifting the ontological perspective towards interi- ority. The aim of the present article is a more detailed analysis of some of Augustine’s texts concerned with “homo interior”, which could be brought to some relevant conclusions.