On Free Choice Of The Will

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).

Sin is the voluntary action of a rational creature that chooses against its nature and against goodness. Sin is objective and real to Augustine. Sin happens when an action is carried out in a manner that may be appropriate in some ways but is wrong in others. Either the action is objectively sinful in itself, or else it is neutral, with the potential to be good, but it is chosen in the wrong way, or at the wrong time, or for the wrong reason. Sin is a result of human nature’s fallen condition, and it results in the punishment of suffering and death, the remedy for which is the Incarnation of the second person of the Trinity in the person of Jesus Christ.

The soul is the spiritual aspect of the human person. It is what makes a human a human, and what makes any living thing alive. Everything that is alive has a soul, but not all living things have the same kind of soul; there are vegetal souls, animal souls, and rational souls (humans have rational souls). The soul, for Augustine, is the animating power (the life force) of the body, and it is an essential element of what makes a human person what they are. The soul is also the seat of the spiritual powers of intellect and will, which make it crucially important to this text’s focus on free will and choice.

A virtue is a habit that enables the individual to make good choices and morally praiseworthy decisions and actions. Virtues are powers that enable the human person to be good and to act in a way that is in accord with their nature. Virtues also allow a person to consciously and directly act in contradistinction to various vices: courage conquers fear and cowardice, temperance conquers intemperance and gluttony, and love conquers hatred and anger.