THIAGO PAULINO JORDÃO

This thesis investigates Augustine’s theory of the will in the dialogue De libero arbitrio, seeking to address the interpretative problem regarding the continuity or rupture between the concept of human free will and its relation to divine grace. The objective is to demonstrate that, when De libero arbitrio is interpreted from the specific perspective of each of its books, the arguments supporting rupture do not hold, so that an internal analysis of the dialogue strengthens the interpretation of continuity. The methodology adopted is hermeneutical and philosophical textual analysis with a historical-contextual approach, examining each book of the dialogue in detail to understand the internal structure of the concept of will and its articulation with themes such as the origin of evil, the existence of God, the hierarchy of beings, and the compatibility between divine foreknowledge and human freedom. The main corpus is De libero arbitrio, supported by the guidelines found in the Retractationes, which situate the place of this work in the development of Augustine’s thought. The results indicate that in Book I, the will is treated from a moral perspective; in Book II, from an ontological perspective; and in Book III, from a theodicean and etiological perspective. This analysis evidences the argumentative integrity among the three books that compose the dialogue, allowing the will to be understood as a unifying axis. It is concluded that De libero arbitrio does not present a theory of the will incompatible with his mature works, but rather anticipates their fundamental elements, configuring a coherent continuity in his thought on the will, against interpretations that defend rupture. Thus, it is hoped that this research will contribute to Augustinian studies by offering a reading that integrates conceptual, textual, and historical analysis, recognizing in De libero arbitrio not merely a treatise on free will, but a foundational text for understanding the will as a moral and ontological principle in Augustine’s anthropology and theology.