Against the Academics: St. Augustine’s Cassiciacum Dialogues, Volume 1

A fresh, new translation of Augustine’s inaugural work as a Christian convert

“Lively, engaging and accurate translations. . . . There is much in this dialogue and Foley’s presentation of it for contemporary readers to take seriously.”-Erik Kenyon, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

The first four works written by St. Augustine of Hippo after his conversion to Christianity are the remarkable “Cassiciacum dialogues.” In this first dialogue, expertly translated by Michael Foley, Augustine and his interlocutors explore the history and teachings of Academic skepticism, which Augustine is both sympathetic to and critical of. The dialogue serves as a fitting launching point for a knowledge of God and the soul, the overall subject of the Cassiciacum tetralogy.

Michael P. Foley is associate professor of patristics at Baylor University. He is the author or editor of several books, including Frank Sheed’s translation of Augustine’s Confessions.