What is a key point of Augustine's theory regarding evil?

Augustine's theory regarding evil fundamentally asserts that evil originates from the misuse of free will granted to humans by God, alongside the concept of original sin. According to Augustine, God created the world and everything in it as fundamentally good, and thus, evil does not have a positive existence; instead, it is a privation of good—a corruption of what is good.

In Augustine's view, the introduction of evil into the world stems from the free will of those created in God's image. He posits that when individuals choose to turn away from God and toward lesser goods, they bring evil into existence. This connection to original sin further emphasizes that the fallen state of humanity, inherited from Adam and Eve, symbolizes the fundamental choice to disobey God, resulting in the presence of evil in the world.

This perspective highlights the importance of human agency in the existence of evil, suggesting that evil is not an inherent quality or force but rather an outcome of choices made by free beings. Thus, understanding evil through the lens of free will and original sin is crucial to grasping Augustine's overarching theological framework.