Final answer:
Augustine's second reason for stealing was a combination of rebellion and experiencing the thrill of doing something forbidden. His actions reflect issues of free will, the nature of evil, and the reliance on divine grace to overcome sin, showing a complex interplay of factors influencing his youthful transgressions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The second reason behind Augustine's thieving as detailed in his confessions reveals a mix of motives which go beyond the mere delight in sinning. Augustine admits that he stole not only out of a desire to sin but also out of a sense of rebellion and a desire to do something forbidden, like experiencing the thrill of transgression. This can be seen as a complex interplay between his quest for autonomy, the innate desire to test the boundaries of moral conventions, and the influence of his companions.
Augustine's struggle with theft reflects the broader philosophical issues he grappled with throughout his life, including free will, the nature of evil, the exertion of agency, and the need for divine grace. Throughout his works, Augustine argued against the deterministic views of the Manicheans, affirming that humans have the power to choose the good despite being tainted by original sin. It was through this personal power to choose and the transformative potential of divine grace that Augustine believed individuals could overcome sin.
In the context of Augustine's life, his theft represents a youthful indiscretion born of a complex interplay of social pressures, internal conflicts, and philosophical considerations. It is in this matrix of social, personal, and theological factors that we find a more nuanced understanding of his actions beyond a simple desire to commit sin.