On Free Choice of the Will - Classic Text | Alexandria
On Free Choice of the Will (De libero arbitrio), written by Augustine of Hippo between 387-395 CE, stands as one of the most influential philosophical treatises examining human free will, divine foreknowledge, and the origin of evil. This three-book dialogue between Augustine and his friend Evodius represents a watershed moment in Western philosophical thought, bridging classical philosophy with Christian theology while grappling with fundamental questions about human agency and moral responsibility.
Composed during Augustine's early Christian period, following his conversion but before his episcopal consecration, the work emerged from a historical context marked by intense theological debates about determinism and free will, particularly in response to Manichean teachings that Augustine himself had previously embraced. The first book was written in Rome in 387-388, while the second and third books were completed in Africa around 391-395, reflecting Augustine's intellectual evolution during this pivotal period.
The treatise unfolds as a systematic investigation of evil's origin, developing into a comprehensive exploration of human freedom and divine justice. Augustine argues that evil stems not from God but from the misuse of free will by rational creatures, introducing a sophisticated understanding of moral responsibility that would influence centuries of philosophical and theological discourse. The work's enduring significance lies in its nuanced treatment of how human free choice can coexist with divine omniscience and predestination, a paradox that continues to challenge modern thinkers.
Augustine's masterful analysis has left an indelible mark on Western thought, shaping discussions of free will and determinism from medieval scholasticism through the Reformation and into contemporary debates about moral responsibility and human agency. Modern philosophers and theologians continue to engage with his arguments, finding relevant applications in discussions of cognitive science, ethics, and artificial intelligence. The work's persistent relevance raises intriguing questions about the nature of human freedom in an age of increasing technological determinism, demonstrating how ancient philosophical insights can illuminate modern ethical dilemmas. What does Augustine's conception of free will offer to a world grappling with questions of algorithmic decision-making and neural determinism?