« Exégèse et imagination : Augustin témoin des objections des philosophes contre la résurrection des corps »

Antiquorum philosophia. An International Journal, 17: "Esperimenti mentali", p. 79-94.

Abstract : Among the recent studies trying to identify discursive forms in history of philosophy that could be considered as “thought experiments”, several point to theological topics as a fertile field. This is confirmed by Augustine’s texts about a specifically Christian question, the resurrection of the dead after Judgment Day. As final event in human history, the resurrection of the dead lends itself to narrative discourses, involving imagination as much as scriptural exegesis and logical argumentation. Augustine will use such narrative discourses to develop a litteral interpretation of the resurrection and life after death ; but these tools are already at work in the anti-Christian objections, including probably Porphyrian arguments, that denounce the absurdity of such a belief. The study will focus on objections raised by philosophers, to show how the idea of thought experiment sheds light on their structure and effectiveness.