On Free Choice Of The Will

Freedom is not simply the ability to make a choice, as it is typically understood in modern society. In Augustine’s system, freedom occurs when a person is given the power and the opportunity to direct themselves towards good. Thus, choosing evil is not a true activity of freedom. A person’s will is truly free when that will has the power and the opportunity to choose good and to move the person in pursuit of good.

Augustine uses the term nature in several ways, so context is always important. In general, nature refers to the objective substance and existence of a particular thing. For instance, human nature refers to those things which make up being a human, and all the characteristics that intrinsically belong to the creature that we call a human. When speaking about human nature, however, Augustine distinguishes between human nature in itself, as it was created (which is intrinsically good), and human nature as it currently exists under the influence of sin (which is inclined to evil, though capable of good through virtue and charity).