Augustine: On Free Choice of the Will

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Main Discussion
Conclusion
Works cited

Introduction

According to Augustine, S. and Williams, T. (12-126), there is no law that prevents human beings from defending themselves. In spite of this, Evodius condemned the act of killing in self-defense stating that it always violates Gods will. As indicated by Augustine, S. and Williams, T. (12-126), Evodius questioned, How can they be free of sin in the eyes of Gods law. On this basis, no one has the right to take away another persons life despite the fact that he/she is defending him/herself. According to Evodius, those who kill in self-defense are driven by unwarranted desires and hence their actions should not be morally justified.

On the other hand, Saint Augustine disagreed with him stating that if someone kills in self defense; he/she is not determined by the wish to live without fear. According to Augustine, S. and Williams, T. (12-126), Augustine stated that It is untrue to state that unwarranted desire drives all sins. On this basis, Augustine thought that killing of a highway robber is morally justifiable. Additionally, it is morally permissible for slaves to kill their masters who torture them excessively. Moreover, it is morally justified when a soldier murders an enemy. This is because human beings, irrespective of their nature, desire to live without fear. In this case, according to Saint Augustine killing in self defense is morally permissible.

Main Discussion

Importantly, the justification for these killings is that human beings have a common desire to live without the fear of being injured or harmed. As can be revealed in Augustine, S. and Williams, T. (12-126), Saint Augustine stated that To wish for life without fear is a characteristic of all human beings both bad and good. On the other hand, the wrong kind of justification can be seen in the case where someone wishes to be free from terror by loving things which he/she may lose in opposition to his/her determination. On this basis therefore, killing out of greed for the desire of gaining something is a wrong justification of self defense.

Importantly, Augustine on the free choice of the will indicated that the mind cannot be forced to be a slave to lust. In his arguments as indicated by Augustine, S. and Williams, (12-126) he outlined that, the mind under all circumstances should not corrupt itself on behalf of its body. On this basis, the mind is free from the evils done by the body and should not be compromised. According to him, the freedom of the will plays an important role in choosing whether to do evil or righteous. It should be noted that Augustine used the concept of freedom to indicate that God has allowed man to choice between the righteous and the evil even though he has foreknowledge. In this case, freedom is a state of free will where man freely chooses what he desires to do.

A point worth noting is that, when an individual performs righteous or evil actions; rewards, blames or punishments are warranted. In this relation, the free will is essential for moral responsibility as it determines how an individual conducts him/herself in worldly life. Basically, through freedom human beings are praised, blamed or punished as they are responsible for their own actions. It is of importance to note that, human beings are free to choose how they should control their moral lives by performing morally significant actions. Importantly, since individuals have the freedom of will they will choose to perform moral actions in order to lead a better life.

Conclusion

In winding up, the free will helps individuals to perform actions that are morally significant. In this case, they will be in a position to know whether it is morally justifiable to kill someone in self defense. In their arguments, Saint Augustine and Evodius outline the circumstances under which one should be justified when he/she kills in self defense.

Works cited

Augustine, Saint and Williams, Thomas. On Free Choice of the Will. New York: Hackett Publishing Company. (1993): 12-126.

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Augustine: On Free Choice of the Will

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