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  • Essay / Boethius' Narrative and Solution to the Problem of Evil

    Boethius, a Christian and Roman consul, wrote The Consolation of Philosophy while in prison under Emperor Theodric. In the book, he attempts to reconcile the gravity of his accusation and execution with the existence of a just God. Boethius's approach to the problem of evil echoes Augustinian beliefs that evil does not exist in a just world. It recognizes the benevolence of God and the presence of providence and destiny as two essential factors that control human and natural actions. Additionally, Boethius finds it difficult to understand the misbehavior of those in power in persecuting the innocent and virtuous. He believes that God's wisdom controls all things to achieve good, even though human understanding is limited. The main concern of Boethius' classical philosophy comes from the fact that the wicked in Rome's political arena prospered while individuals like him suffered despite their righteous nature. However, since human understanding is limited, one can understand this principle by analyzing the situation from God's point of view. While Boethius believes that evil does not exist in a world where God's benevolence reigns, human beings make choices based on the free will granted to them. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay. Boethius needed to make sense of the world he existed in, as wickedness seemed to flourish while riot received no reward. God exists in a timeless state, while human beings are constrained by time. Additionally, human beings can make decisions and choices based on the situation and without God's control. This implies that God's eternal presence does not necessarily dictate human choices. This makes people fully responsible for their actions, regardless of the existence of an all-powerful God who controls all things. Notably, God's providence allows human beings to practice free will, which makes them responsible for the choices they make. Essentially, Boethius evades the problem of evil by arguing for its non-existence and the real influence it exerts on people. However, the pain and suffering that characterize human nature challenge Boethius's assertions. He follows a narrow approach when describing the problem of evil and how it operates, which fails to comprehensively reconcile his arguments with the real world. Mainly, Boethius does not understand why a good and loving God would allow evil to run through the world. The question raises philosophical debates, particularly when human beings are exposed to extreme conditions that result in pain and suffering similar to those faced by Boethius. In this case, the problem of evil presents a contrasting argument that illustrates evil in an attempt to understand why evil people hold the power to persecute others. Boethius attempts to dispute the existence of evil by mentioning that evil is weakness and nothing. It makes sense that a good and all-loving God cannot create evil since it brings suffering to children. His assertion that evil does not exist arises from a philosophical perspective that evil is not a real thing and that God did not create evil. Boethius' statement about the weakness of evil reveals that vice goes against the nature of things. This means that naturally, people tend to seek happiness and goodness in life. Although Boethius considers evil to be nothing, it is still unclear how it can occur, but there are many observable acts.