2 thoughts on “ADDICTION

  1. David

    Hey Dave,

    I think Cahill’s point is to underscore the idea of individual identity. As you know, the self as individual does not really emerge until the Enlightenment. Prior to the Enlightenment people knew who they were in relation to something bigger than themselves: religious tradition, ethic background, etc.

    Augustine also understood himself in relation to those who came before him, but I think Cahill is wanting to highlight there is a sense in which the solitariness of the individual was first brought to light. It is why Confessions feels like you are reading someone’s journal.

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