Boethius engages with the nature of predestination and free will, the problem of evil and the "problem of desert", human nature, virtue, and justice. He speaks about the nature of free will and determinism when he asks whether God knows and sees all, or does man have free will. On human nature, Boethius says that humans are essentially good, and only when they give in to "wickedness" do they "sink to the level of being an animal." On justice, he says criminals are not to be abused, but rather treated with sympathy and respect, using the analogy of doctor and patient to illustrate the ideal relationship between prosecutor and criminal.
boethius engageS WITh the nATURE oF pRedestinatIon and frEE WILL, the pRObleM of evIl and the "pRObLeM of deserT", hUmaN naTUre, viRtuE, and juSTiCe. he Speaks About tHe nature oF FRee wilL ANd dETErMiNism wHeN He AsKs wHetHER GoD knOwS aNd seEs aLl, oR does Man have fRee WILL. on HumAn nature, BoEthiuS sAYS thaT HUmAnS are esseNtiaLLy GoOd, and only wHEn tHeY giVe IN To "wICkeDness" Do THey "sink To thE level of being AN Animal." On justicE, he SaYs CrimiNAlS are noT To be AbusEd, but rAther tReATed wIth symPatHY aNd resPect, using THe ANAlOgy of DoctOR anD patienT tO illUsTRATe THe iDEAL RelATiOnship BetWEEn PRosEcUtor AnD cRiMiNal.