Evil is a complex issue within the Catholic faith. It is difficult to put a definition to what evilness is because it is not something that can physically be touched or seen. Philosophers such as, St. Augustine and Boethius, have proposed ideas that transform the way Catholics view evil, and help to give a better understanding of faith and God. These two philosophers have expressed their opinions on this very controversial topic in depth in Augustine’s Confessions and again in the Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius. The philosophers shared certain ideas, but have come to them each in different ways. The ideas introduced by St. Augustine and Boethius lead one to believe that evil is not a substance, or created by God, but arises from free
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Although the terms in which Boethius came to his discoveries differed from St. Augustine’s, what he discovered matched. Boethius realized that good and evil are direct opposites. “For since good and evil are opposites, the weakness of evil is shown by establishing the strength of good, and vice versa” (88). This quote shows that good and evil are completely different, however, they rely on each other. One can understand the weakness of evil when it is compared to good, just as one can understand the strength of good when it is compared to evil. Therefore, Boethius believes that in order to truly see good for what it is, evil must be present. On another note, Boethius argues that all strive towards happiness. However, the intentions men have while trying to reach happiness determine whether or not they are wicked.
“Suppose there were two men who are set the same natural task, and one of them performs and completes it by natural action, while the other cannot manage the natural actions, but uses another method contrary to nature, and does not actually complete the task but approximates to someone completing it; which would you say had the more power?”
Although the terms in which Boethius came to his discoveries differed from St. Augustine’s, what he discovered matched. Boethius realized that good and evil are direct opposites. “For since good and evil are opposites, the weakness of evil is shown by establishing the strength of good, and vice versa” (88). This quote shows that good and evil are completely different, however, they rely on each other. One can understand the weakness of evil when it is compared to good, just as one can understand the strength of good when it is compared to evil. Therefore, Boethius believes that in order to truly see good for what it is, evil must be present. On another note, Boethius argues that all strive towards happiness. However, the intentions men have while trying to reach happiness determine whether or not they are wicked.
“Suppose there were two men who are set the same natural task, and one of them performs and completes it by natural action, while the other cannot manage the natural actions, but uses another method contrary to nature, and does not actually complete the task but approximates to someone completing it; which would you say had the more power?”