O problema do mal em Boécio: o sofrimento dos bons e a impunidade dos maus no De consolatione philosophiae.

Abstract

Addressing the problem of evil is not an easy or new task, because many authors, both of philosophy and theology, have developed several studies in order to solve an issue, which at the same time is so old and current in human life, whether in the moral, natural or even metaphysical sphere. We cannot, therefore, deny that evil exists and interferes with the practical life of the human being, but neither can it be accurately shown its origin or to point out an effective formula that solves all its effects. The question of the existence of evil is even more problematic when inserted within a context that takes into account the existence of a God who acts through his providence organizing and governing all things with goodness, justice and wisdom. In this sense, our goal is to address the testamentary work of Severino Boécio written in the 6th century, the De consolatione philosophiae, composed of five books that deals with both true happiness and the uncomfortable question of evil before the existence of a God who governs all things with goodness and justice. In an engaging dialogue between Boetius, condemned to death and his consoling, "Philosophy", themes such as false goods of fortune, true happiness, the existence of evil, divine providence, free will among others, will be fundamental to show two things: that God, Sumo Well, is true happiness and that evil does not exist, at least in the ontological sense. In this context, Boétius will approach the issue of evil in two moments: the ontological denial of evil and its existence only in the moral sphere derived from free will; and the question of impunity of the wicked and the suffering of the good, claiming to be a misguided and limited view of man who does not understand the totality of divine knowledge, which of eternity, provides to all what is due with wisdom and justice. To understand Boétius's arguments for solving the problem of evil, it will be necessary to approach two authors who directly influenced his thinking: Augustine with his work "Free Will" and Plato with his dialogue "Gorgias". In fact, before Boecio, Augustine also addressed the problem of evil and denied its ontological existence by affirming its permanence only in the moral sphere derived from sin and derived from the free will of man. Likewise, Plato in "Gorgias" addresses the idea of justice and injustice stating that committing an injustice is worse than suffering and more, states that anyone who commits an injustice and goes unpunished is more unhappy than the offender who pays the fair penalty for his offense. Therefore, our study shows the fundamental importance of both authors for Boecio's final response that in addition to denying ontological evil and ensuring that the good are not at the mercy of fortune, it ensures that divine providence is fair and does not leave the bad without their proper punishments.