My Presentation of the Consolation of Philosophy

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY  Boethius

(Jon Sayles Music) 

Vic BurrackProfessor McBrideHUMN 52017 May 2012

Fig.1 Vintage Printable. Free Use Graphics: Boethius. Vintage Printable.com. 2012. Web. 17 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Background

This text by Boethius was the most translated and copied secular work in

Europe during the Middle Ages (Britannica).

Boethius was a Christian consul in the Roman hierarchy (Mitchell).

This work has religious, personal and mystical connotations.

Boethius was influenced by Stoicism.

Fig.2 Vintage Printable. Free Use Graphics: Boethius. Vintage Printable.com. 2012. Web. 16 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

The Form

Called a “Consolatio” this is often described as a Diatribe (Britannica).

This work is a philosophical treatise set as a Fable.

Uses a Greek Classical Dialogue for its literary form.

Fig.4 Vintage Printable. Free Use Graphics: Boethius. Vintage Printable.com. 2012. Web. 17 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Discussion Topics in The Consolation of Philosophy 

Boethius talks of Wisdom, Fate, Fortune, Family, Money, Rank,Power, Happiness, the Will of God, Vices, Virtues, and Chance.

Fig.7 Vintage Printable. Free Use Graphics: Boethius. Vintage Printable.com. 2012. Web. 17 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Boethius’s Major Themes 

Classical References (Socrates, Plato, Homer, Cicero, others)

Denial of the Pleasures of the Flesh

The Honor of Family (Rusticiana and Symmachus)

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Boethius’s Major Themes (continued)

Good in the World (Intelligence and Soul)

Evil has no Substance (No power over Minds or Souls)

God as the Attainment of Perfect Happiness

Providence and Happiness (God’s Plan for the World) 

Fig.6 Vintage Printable. Free Use Graphics: Boethius. Vintage Printable.com. 2012. Web. 17 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Important Characters: The Two Muses of Poetry

Fig.8 Vintage Printable. Free Use Graphics: Boethius Muse. Vintage Printable.com. 2012. Web. 16 May 2012.

Lady Philosophy represents truth and thought(Britannica).

Lady Fortune represents Fate - both good and evil.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Muses

Commonly used in Greek and Roman Mythology (Britannica).

They represent the “Female Spirits”. 

These “Spirits” watch over Poets and Inspire. 

Fig.9 Evans. Boethius Fate. evans-experientialism.freewebspace.com. 2012. Web. 17 May

2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Boethius uses his Muses

Boethius has many conversations with imaginary Muses in this text. 

These conversations gives Boethius a stronger voice on importanttopics since his “thoughts” on life are echoed thru these Muses. 

Fig.10 Vintage Printable. Free Use Graphics: Muses.Vintage Printable.com. 2012. Web. 14 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Lady Philosophy and Boethius Converse

"If God exists, whence comes evil? Yet whence comes good, if He existsnot? (Boethius 27).

They agree on many points.

God made the entire Universe.

That this Universe is filled with good.

Evil has no real substance.

Earthly things do pass away.

Fig.11Vintage Printable. Free Use Graphics: God. Vintage Printable.com. 2012. Web. 15 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Thoughts on Money

“Wealth, then, cannot make its possessor independent and free from all

want, yet this was what it seemed to promise”(Boethius 90).

“Then, we have worked round to an opposite conclusion: the wealth which

was thought to make a man independent rather puts him in need of furtherprotection” (Boethius 91).

Fig.12 Vintage Printable. Free Use Graphics: The Consolation of Philosophy. Vintage Printable.com. 2012. Web. 14 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Thoughts on the Good

“Therefore, it is the good which men seek by such divers courses; and

herein is easily shown the might of Nature's power, since, although

opinions are so various and discordant, yet they agree in cherishing goodas the end” (Boethius 85).

“But we have determined that true happiness is the perfect good; therefore

true happiness must dwell in the supreme Deity”(Boethius 115). 

Fig.13 Vintage Printable. Free Use Graphics: The Consolation of Philosophy. Vintage Printable.com. 2012. Web. 16 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Thoughts on Glory

“And yet consider with me how poor and unsubstantial a thing this

glory is!”(Boethius 69).

“Thou hast, then, set before thine eyes something like a scheme of 

human happiness—wealth, rank, power, glory, pleasure”(Boethius 83).

Fig.14 Getty. Boethius: The Consolation of Philosophy. blogs.getty.edu . 2012. Web. 17 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Happy Trust in God

“Such a happiness necessarily exists. Its seat is in God. Nay, God is very

happiness, and in a manner, therefore, the happy man partakes also of the

Divine nature” (Boethius 79).

“Our hopes and prayers also are not fixed on God in vain, and when they

are rightly directed cannot fail of effect” (Boethius 227).

Fig.15 Wheel of Fortune. www.exclassics.com.2012. Web. 15 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Questions to ask about what Boethius says

Does Fate Exist?

Can a person really alter their own Fate?

What is the true meaning of Life?

What is the actual nature of God?

What constitutes a “Good Life”? 

If you are “good” does that give you strength? 

Fig.16 The Consolation of Philosophy. romancatholicimperialist.org . 2012. Web. 16 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Consider Boethius’s Meanings 

What is the Value of earthly actions by any man while Living?

What is the nature of Man?

Is there really Cause and Effect?

Who is really in Control?

Fig.17 Vintage Printable. Free Use Graphics: The Consolation of Philosophy. Vintage Printable.com. 2012. Web. 17 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

.The Relevance of Fate

This work by Boethius is an allegorical representation of the way “fate”

without any visible warning or purpose - brings “circumstances” (good or 

evil) and influences a person’s life at any time (Boethius). 

Fig.19 Vintage Printable. Free Use Graphics: The Consolation of Philosophy. Vintage Printable.com. 2012. Web. 17 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

The Philosophy of any Person

 An individual’s subjective perspective alters depending on the relative

nature of the perceived situation.

Example: if a person is under duress or in a safe, comfortable environment..

Fig.18 The Consolation of Philosophy. www3.dbu.edu . 2012. Web. 16 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

The Theme of Right Living

This is a subject that has interested generations of philosophers, writersand learned people.

Is it possible to Live Right?

How do you Confirm It?

What are the possible Consequences?

Fig.15 Boethius Fate. radagast3.blogspot.com . 2012. Web. 15 May

2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

How to “Define” Right Living

 Accept it is an “honorable pursuit” to give meaning to a Life.

Use Individual Subjective Judgment.

Develop or Adopt a belief structure.

Qualify Details.

Fig.15 Lessing. Boethius Right Living. lessing-photo.com. 2012. Web. 15 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

How to “Find” Right Living 

Therefore it is relative to each person.

To a religious believer - God is supreme and in Control.

To an Agnostic - the Individual or Environment is in Control.

Fig.15 Lady Philosophy leading Boethius towards his Enlightenment. Coëtivy. Master c.1460/70 .  echoesfromthegnosis.blogspot.com . 2012. Web. 15 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

The “Benefits” of seeking Right Living 

Which person is right  about “Right Living”? 

This is Unknown.

Each seeks their own version of enlightenment.

Each perspective provides comfort to that Individual.

Each lets their belief be real enough to change their life.

Fig.15 Boethius. pages.uoregon.edu. 2012. Web. 15 May 2012.

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THE CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY 

Works CitedBoethius. Trans. P.G. Walsh. Oxford :World Classics, 2000. The Consolation of Philosophy . 14 May 2012.

Britannica. “The Consolation of Philosophy”. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web.15 May. 2012.

Mitchell, Dr. Philip Irving . “Introduction to Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy.” DBU.edu . Web. 17 May 2012.http://www3.dbu.edu/mitchell/boethius.htm

Sayles, Jon. What If I Never Speed: Original Lute song by John Dowland (1562-1626). Early Music: Medieval . 2012.Web. 15 May 2012. <http://www.jsayles.com/familypages/earlymusic.htm>.