In the history of philosophy, Augustine is a foundational figure marking the transition from the rational-cosmological paradigm of Antiquity to the faith-based interiority of Christianity. This epistemological rupture situates cognition within belief (credo ut intelligam), re-grounding philosophical disciplines around the love of God. In Augustine′s thought, love is not merely a virtue but a central principle synonymous with the will, directing the individual toward liberation from earthly constraints. Augustine′s approach radically diverges from philia or utility-oriented eros, prioritizing the unconditional nature of agape. The divine commandment to love God and neighbor provides an ethical framework for transcending earthly evils. However, presenting love as a “command” creates a tension: is it fulfilled through duty or a free-willed orientation supported by grace? Drawing on Hannah Arendt’s critique, this article explores whether directing love toward salvation entails a passive detachment from the world or if Augustinian neighborly love offers an ethics of solidarity for fragmented social structures. The study first examines the forms of love and the liberating role of the will, then reposition’s Augustine’s concept of agape in light of Arendtian perspectives to evaluate its implications for political philosophy.

Keywords: Augustine, Arendt, Agape, Amicitia, Will, Love of Neighbor