The problem of monsters for Augustine of Hippo

Monsters come in many forms, from those invented in fiction to those born with physical deformities. In De civitate Dei, Augustine argues that God did not err in allowing monsters to exist. Cohen lists seven theses for the classification of what has been conventionally called monsters. Within these theses and De civitate Dei, this article will seek to determine what a monster really is, in addition to demonstrating that a monster is not born against nature, but by pure divine will, which is perfect. Using the hermeneutic method, we will seek to exegete the texts of the two authors in question in order to obtain a conclusive answer to the problematization.