Final answer:
Augustine theorized that evil entered the world through Original Sin, but also held that humans have the capacity for choosing good through free will and divine grace. His defense against heresies maintained that creation was intrinsically good and part of God's greater plan. Discussions on evil explore the compatibility of divine omniscience and omnipotence with the existence of evil.
Step-by-step explanation:
St. Augustine, in addressing the issue of evil in society, points to the concept of Original Sin stemming from Adam and Eve's actions in the Garden of Eden. This evil is thought to have been introduced through human error and the exercise of free will, which includes the capacity to choose wrongly. Augustine's explanation aligns with a view where evil acts as a conduit for the soul's growth, transitioning from 'bios' (physical life) to 'zoe' (spiritual life representing divine love).
Augustine's approach to free will contends that, despite being able to choose sin, humanity also possesses the innate ability to choose good, with divine grace being a pivotal factor in this moral conflict. Furthermore, through his theological philosophy, Augustine argues against heresies of the era, asserting that the world God created is fundamentally good and the presence of evil can be reconciled within God's providential plan.
The question posed by LibreTexts™ addresses the moral dilemma of a perfect and omniscient deity allowing the fall of mankind despite prior knowledge of the outcome. Such discussions delve into the problem of evil and its relationship with an all-loving and omnipotent deity, prompting both philosophical and theological debates.