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Title:: The Tradition and Transformation of Sophia in Greek Philosophy:Genealogical and Augustine’s Perspectives

Keywords:: wisdom; later Greek philosophy; Augustine; genealogical method; practical wisdom

Abstract:: Sophia(wisdom)in Greek culture has a tradition of a dichotomy, i. e., practical wisdom and theoretical wisdom. The practical one is related to the handcrafts and arts in daily life, belonging to the sensory and perspective category; the theoretical one is related to the principles and reasons of all things, which is also the unique and universal knowledge, belonging to the functions of reason and intellect. Through the construction by generations of philosophers, how to integrate these two kinds of wisdom became a theme for the time to later Greek philosophers. After the encounter between Hellenistic and Hebrew cultures, this topic gave rise to more specific questions, including:How could human beings acquire the highest wisdom? Or has a wise man ever existed? For wisdom is considered as the necessary path to happiness. As for St. Augustine, he inherited and developed the traditional philosophy of Sofia. By identifying wisdom as knowing truth, he confirmed that the abilities to reason and believe are both important in pursuing truth and wisdom. Thus, he turned the concern of sofia from the outer world into one’s inner self; from seeking knowledge for its own sake into seeking the happiness of one’s life; and from skeptics into seeking the guidance of authority. The review of sofia’s philosophical journey can provides us with a mirror to understand the difference between Chinese and Western traditions of wisdom.