The discussion now turns to theodicy—the question of why God permits evil. Boethius is troubled by the fact that in spite of God's providence, evil flourishes in the world and goes unpunished. Philosophy replies to the contrary that, following his own reasoning and with her as a guide, Boethius will discover that the bad are always punished and the good always rewarded.

In verse, Philosophy describes the Platonic ascent of the soul from base earthly matters to God. 

Philosophy intends to show Boethius that good is inherently strong and evil inherently weak. In the first instance, both the good and the wicked are striving for the supreme good; yet only the good obtain it. If the wicked obtained the good, they would no longer be wicked.

In the second instance, the good seek their goal through the exercise of their virtues, which is the natural and proper means of obtaining it; whereas the wicked seek the very same goal through unnatural means, namely their desires. Thus, the wicked are naturally weak and powerless because they are unequipped to obtain what they seek. Good people obtain the good, but wicked people do not.