In this dialogue, Augustine investigates the origin of evil and the mechanics of human volition. He argues that moral wrongdoing arises not from God, but from the soul’s decision to turn away from eternal truths toward temporal goods. Through a conversation with Evodius, Augustine defines the will as a bridge between intellect and action, asserting that true freedom requires aligning one’s choices with divine law. The text details the relationship between foreknowledge and autonomy, explaining how a creator can anticipate human actions without necessitating them.
Students of philosophy and theology read this translation for its clarity in navigating late antiquity's metaphysical debates. Thomas Williams provides an English version that maintains the logical progression of the original Latin while clarifying dense arguments about substance and morality. Readers gain a foundational understanding of theodicy and the internal conflict between desire and reason. The book provides a technical framework for discussing responsibility, helping those in academic settings distinguish between external impulse and internal consent.
Deep, contemplative and open-ended; a demanding read.
Best for readers like The Wisdom Collector. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1993
- Publisher
- Hackett Publishing
- ISBN
- 9780872201880
- Language
- EN
