Perché il male? E da dove viene? Da Agostino una risposta di libertà

This article explores Augustine’s response to the question of evil, tracing his personal and philosophical journey from the dualism of Manichaeism to the Christian understanding of evil as privatio boni—a deprivation of good. Far from being a speculative inquiry alone, Augustine’s reflection is existential, shaped by his own experience of error and conversion. The article highlights his rejection of evil as a substance, his emphasis on human freedom and responsibility, and his trust in divine providence, even in the face of innocent suffering. Augustine’s thought offers a vision in which evil does not have the final word—grace and love do. In a world marked by violence and injustice, his theodicy remains a compelling invitation to hope and moral responsibility.