Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy was an influential piece of philosophy and literature for hundreds of years, not least because it acted as a bridge between the philosophy of the ancient Romans and Greeks (particulary Neo-platonism and Stoicism) to the philosophy of the medieval west. With the resurgence of contemporary interest in Stoicism Boethius has garnered some recent attention. Divided into 5 books, the Consolation describes a conversation between Philosophy and a prisoner under threat of execution (Boethius' situation at the time of writing). The first three books cover more of the moral element of Stoicism and have aged better. The last two books concern more theological aspects (the good, fate and free will) and have less relevance - relying as they do on very outadted notions of metaphysics. The first two books are still well worth reading however as the consolation that philosophy affords someone in this extreme situation contains some insights and thoughts that we might still find useful. The idea of the role that fortune plays in our happiness and the ideas of how people act are well worth considering even in today's world. The additioal critical essays at the end of this edition add very little as they are overwhelmingly christian apologetics and have very little of philosophical or historical interest. Rather shocked I enjoyed this as much as I did. The first few books were amazing and I'd recommend it for mental health. Its something that can get you thinking about your depression. The last few books however are really detractors from the great speeches lady philosophy will give at the beginning of the book. She's a lovely nurse for those wrecked with depression. Fortune is a wheel and constancy is my very essence say's the wheel. Rise up on my spokes if you'd like but don't complain when you're cast back down into the depths. Good times pass away but then so do the bad. Mutability is our tragedy but it's also our hope. The worst of times like the best are always passing away.
Brilliant. Off the scale. To read something written so long ago was an incredible experience.
—vigmen
This book is basically neoplatanism, which is a form of gnosticism.
—Ms_Orangee
Up there with St. Augustine and Plato in importance.
—finnickingannie
