Addiction and the Captive Will

A Colloquy between Neuroscience and Augustine of Hippo

By: Professor Cynthia Geppert

Write A Review

Paperback | 11 December 2025

At a Glance

Paperback
280 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
23.4 x 15.6 x 2.54

Paperback

RRP $59.99

$58.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $14.69 with

Ships in 3 to 5 business days

Twenty-first century neuroscience has discovered that in some severe cases, addiction may so constrain human freedom that the will is only able to choose to use substances of abuse. At this advanced stage, substance use has become the primary driver of salience, co-opting
and subsuming other moral priorities and human rewards. Scholars have investigated Aristotleâs concept of akrasia as an ancient mirror of this understanding and there have been some preliminary discussions of Augustineâs concept of the divided will as it bears on addiction.

No detailed and comprehensive exploration of the work of Augustine has yet been undertaken as it relates to three contemporary models of addiction: the choice, learning, and brain disease models. Augustineâs psychological awareness, his mastery of ancient theological and philosophical thinking, and his enormous and enduring influence on both Catholic and Protestant theology, make him an ideal subject for such research. This incisive book argues that Augustineâs doctrine of the captive will offers a theological parallel of each of these contemporary models of addiction.

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.