After Lady Philosophy: Difference Between Providence And Boethius

After Lady Philosophy distinguishes the difference between Providence and Fate, Boethius still questions the confusing concept of free will existing if Providence overlooks all things and their actions and if Fate controls the random events that occur in life. “But is there room in this chain of close-knit causes for any freedom of the will? Or does the chain of Fate bind even the impulses of the human mind?” (Boethius, 118). Lady Philosophy replies and says that it would be impossible for any being to exist without it. “Whatever by nature has the use of reason has the power of judgement to decide each matter” (Boethius, 118). She also explains that creatures who have an innate power of reason, must also have the freedom of will. Although Providence and Fate have
these preexisting plans, creatures of reason have the judgement to decide which desires they are willing to give into. Since creatures are born with the innate power of reason and from reason they have judgment then these creatures have the free will to choose between virtue and wickedness. Boethius laments because it appears that Fate punishes the good and rewards the evil.
“When wickedness rules and flourishes, not only does virtue go unrewarded it is even trodden underfoot by the wicked and punished in the place of crime. That this can happen in the realm of an omniscient and omnipotent God who wills only goof, is beyond perplexity and complaint” (Boethius, 85). Lady Philosophy explains to Boethius that this is not true because of the various perspectives of Fortune. Although Fate my present someone with bad Fortune, it depends on how the person perceives its fortune. Virtuous beings may perceive bad fortune as a lesson and establish their strength in character when bad fortune appears. However, wicked beings who do not find lessons in bad fortune will show weakness in character and not appreciate the lessons Fate and Providence has for them. “For since good and evil are opposites, the weakness of evil is shown by establishing the strength of good, and vice versa” (Boethius, 88). Lady Philosophy continues to state how wicked beings will never be able to attain true happiness or power because they cannot resist vice. Lady Philosophy continues to explain why evil will never attain
power:
“To the objection that evil men do have power, I would say that this power of theirs comes from weakness rather than strength. For they would not have the power to do the evil that they can if they could have retained the power of doing good. This power only makes it more clear that they can do nothing, for if, as we concluded a short time ago, evil is nothing, it is clear that since they can only do evil, the wicked can do nothing” (Boethius, 91).