Boethius composed De Consolation Philosophiae in the sixth century A.D. while awaiting death by torture, condemned on a charge of plotting against Gothic rule, which he protested as manifestly unjust. Though a Christian, Boethius details the true end of life as the soul's knowledge of God, and consoles himself with the tenets of Greek philosophy, not with Christian precepts.

Written in a form called Meippean Satire that alternates between prose and verse, Boethius' work often consists of a story told by Ovid or Horace to illustrate the philosophy being expounded. The Consolation of Philosophy dominated the intellectual world of the Middle Ages; it inspired writers as diverse Thomas Aquinas, Jean de Meun, and Dante. In England it was rendered into Old English by Alfred the Great, into Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer, and later Queen Elizabeth I made her own translation. The circumstances of composition, the heroic demeanor of the author, and the Meippean texture of part prose, part verse have been a fascination for students of philosophy, literature, and religion ever since.

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One of the most influential books in the history of Western thought, The Consolation of Philosophy was written in a prison cell by a condemned man. Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (c. 480-524) was a Roman scholar, theologian, philosopher, and statesman. Imprisoned by the Ostrogothic king Theodoric, probably on trumped-up subversion charges, he was thrown into a remote prison where he was eventually executed.
While awaiting his fate, he wrote this dialogue in alternating prose and poetry between himself and his spiritual guardian. Its subject is human happiness and the possibility of achieving it in the midst of the suffering and disappointment that characterize human existence. As Richard H. Green notes in the introduction, For the reader of the Christian Middle Ages, The Consolation of Philosophy celebrated the life of the mind, or reason, and the possibility of its ultimate victory over the misfortunes and frustrations which attend fallen man's pursuit of transitory substitutes for the Supreme Good which alone can satisfy human desires.
Mr. Green's translation is quite literal in order to remain as faithful as possible to Boethius's original meaning. He has also provided an informative introduction and notes. The result is a superbly accessible edition that still exercises a powerful influence on contemporary thinkers and theologians and represents a source of comfort and solace for the general reader.

Boethius' complaint (Song I.).-CH. I. Philosophy appears to Boethius, drives away the Muses of Poetry, and herself laments (Song II.) the disordered condition of his mind.-CH. II. Boethius is speechless with amazement. Philosophy wipes away the tears that have clouded his eyesight.-CH. III. Boethius recognises his mistress Philosophy. To his wondering inquiries she explains her presence, and recalls to his mind the persecutions to which Philosophy has oftentimes from of old been subjected by an ignorant world. CH. IV. Philosophy bids Boethius declare his griefs. He relates the story of his unjust accusation and ruin. He concludes with a prayer (Song V.) that the moral disorder in human affairs may be set right.-CH. V. Philosophy admits the justice of Boethius' self-vindication, but grieves rather for the unhappy change in his mind. She will first tranquillize his spirit by soothing remedies.-CH. VI. Philosophy tests Boethius' mental state by certain questions, and discovers three chief causes of his soul's sickness: (1) He has forgotten his own true nature; (2) he knows not the end towards which the whole universe tends; (3) he knows not the means by which the world is governed.

The Consolation of Philosophy was written in 523 AD during a one-year imprisonment Boethius served while awaiting trial-and eventual execution-for the alleged crime of treason under King Theodoric the Great. Boethius held the prestigious office of magister officiorum in Rome, but was brought down by treachery. The text reflects on how evil can exist in a world governed by God and how happiness is still attainable amidst fickle fortune, and considers the nature of happiness and God.

The Consolation of Philosophy has been described as the single most important and influential work in the West on Medieval and early Renaissance Christianity, as well as the last great Western work of the Classical Period. Readers of the text were encouraged not to seek worldly goods such as money and power, but to seek internalized virtues. With its note of fatalism and its affinities with the Christian doctrine of humility, The Consolation of Philosophy stands midway between the pagan philosophy of Seneca the Younger and the later Christian philosophy of consolation represented by Thomas Kempis.

This case laminate collector's edition includes a Victorian inspired dust-jacket.

In this highly praised new translation of Boethius's The Consolation of Philosophy, David R. Slavitt presents a graceful, accessible, and modern version for both longtime admirers of one of the great masterpieces of philosophical literature and those encountering it for the first time. Slavitt preserves the distinction between the alternating verse and prose sections in the Latin original, allowing us to appreciate the Menippian parallels between the discourses of literary and logical inquiry. His prose translations are lively and colloquial, conveying the argumentative, occasionally bantering tone of the original, while his verse translations restore the beauty and power of Boethius's poetry. The result is a major contribution to the art of translation.

Those less familiar with Consolation may remember it was written under a death sentence. Boethius (c. 480-524), an Imperial official under Theodoric, Ostrogoth ruler of Rome, found himself, in a time of political paranoia, denounced, arrested, and then executed two years later without a trial. Composed while its author was imprisoned, cut off from family and friends, it remains one of Western literature's most eloquent meditations on the transitory nature of earthly belongings, and the superiority of things of the mind. In an artful combination of verse and prose, Slavitt captures the energy and passion of the original. And in an introduction intended for the general reader, Seth Lerer places Boethius's life and achievement in context.

2011 Reprint of 1962 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Consolation of Philosophy is a philosophical work by Boethius, written around the year 524. It has been described as the single most important and influential work in the West on Medieval and early Renaissance Christianity, and is also the last great Western work that can be called Classical. It was written during a one-year imprisonment Boethius served while awaiting trial for the crime of treason. This experience inspired the text, which reflects on how evil can exist in a world governed by God, and how happiness can be attainable amidst fickle fortune, while also considering the nature of happiness and God. Boethius writes the book as a conversation between himself and Lady Philosophy. She consoles Boethius by discussing the transitory nature of fame and wealth, and the ultimate superiority of things of the mind, which she calls the one true good. She contends that happiness comes from within, and that one's virtue is all that one truly has, because it is not imperiled by the vicissitudes of fortune.

A vivid and accessible new translation of essential selections from Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy--a moving classic about facing life's worst events with courage and hope

What do you do when your life has fallen apart? Fifteen hundred years ago, a Roman nobleman named Boethius (ca. 480-524 CE) asked this question as he was sitting in a prison cell waiting to die, accused--probably unjustly--of treason. Boethius had been a rich and powerful man with all a person could want in life, but now he had lost everything. Shaken, he wondered how such terrible misfortune could have happened to him and why life was so unfair. When Philosophy herself appears in his cell and confronts Boethius, the conversation that follows between the two on the nature of evil and why humans suffer is as powerful and inspiring today as it was to its first readers. In How to Cope, Philip Freeman presents a lively modern translation of essential selections from Boethius's classic, complete with an introduction and the original Latin on facing pages.

This translation vividly captures Boethius's journey from bitterness and anger to reconciliation and peace, showing how ancient philosophy, especially Stoicism, can help readers deal with adversity in their own lives. The book reveals the qualities that have made The Consolation of Philosophy one of the most popular and influential works of classical and world literature, and an inspiration to countless writers, including Thomas Aquinas, Dante, and Chaucer.

Collector's Edition Laminated Hardback with Jacket

Imprisoned and facing an uncertain fate, a scholar grapples with the harshness of fortune and the meaning of true happiness. As despair looms, a mysterious figure, Lady Philosophy, appears to guide him through a journey of reason and reflection. Together, they explore the fleeting nature of worldly success, the power of virtue, and the harmony of the universe. This profound dialogue blends poetic beauty with philosophical wisdom, offering timeless insights into the human condition.

Written during Boethius's imprisonment in the 6th century, The Consolation of Philosophy became a cornerstone of medieval thought and Western intellectual tradition. Blending classical philosophy with Christian ideas, it profoundly influenced figures like Dante, Aquinas, and Chaucer. Its exploration of fate, justice, and happiness shaped centuries of philosophical and theological discourse. Revered for its timeless wisdom, it remains a testament to the enduring power of reason and reflection in the face of adversity.

Complete edition of The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius and translated by W. V. Cooper. As Boethius approached death, he contemplates what is happiness, purpose, and definition of a 'good' life. Insightful thinking for all time.

To assist with understanding the middle English text, many words have been translated in the footnotes.

You and God Himself, who has grafted you in the minds of philosophers, are my witnesses that never have I applied myself to any office of state except that I might work for the common welfare of all good men.

All students of thought should get this historic book. This 1902 edition is provided in a slim volume with full text at an affordable price.

The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration and rapidly growing technology and expanding record-keeping made possible by advances in the printing press. In its determination to preserve the century of revolution, Gale initiated a revolution of its own: digitization of epic proportions to preserve these invaluable works in the largest archive of its kind. Now for the first time these high-quality digital copies of original 18th century manuscripts are available in print, making them highly accessible to libraries, undergraduate students, and independent scholars.
The Age of Enlightenment profoundly enriched religious and philosophical understanding and continues to influence present-day thinking. Works collected here include masterpieces by David Hume, Immanuel Kant, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, as well as religious sermons and moral debates on the issues of the day, such as the slave trade. The Age of Reason saw conflict between Protestantism and Catholicism transformed into one between faith and logic -- a debate that continues in the twenty-first century.
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British Library

T109412



Edinburgh: printed for the translator; and sold by William Creech, 1789. 7, [1],202p.; 8

The Consolation of Philosophy occupies a central place in the history of Western thought. Its author, Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (ca. 476-526 c.e.), was a Roman philosopher, scholar, and statesman who wrote The Consolation of Philosophy while in a remote prison awaiting his execution on dubious political charges. The text of this Norton Critical Edition is based on the translation by Richard H. Green. It is accompanied by the editor's preface and full-scale introduction to the work, the translator's preface, and explanatory annotations.

Contexts reprints selections from the texts that Boethius drew upon for his own work. These include excerpts from two of Plato's Dialogues (Gorgias and Timaeus), from Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, and from Augustine's On Free Choice of the Will.

Criticism collects five wide-ranging essays by major scholars of Boethius. Henry Chadwick presents a general introduction to Boethius's life and works. Nelson Pike presents a clear and insightful interpretation of what Boethius means by writing that God is eternal (timeless). The final three essays--by William Bark, Edmund Reiss, and John Marenbon--all depart from traditional readings of The Consolation of Philosophy in significant ways and are sure to stimulate classroom discussion.

A Chronology of Boethius's life and work and a Selected Bibliography are also included.

Thank you for checking out this book by Theophania Publishing. We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you soon. We have thousands of titles available, and we invite you to search for us by name, contact us via our website, or download our most recent catalogues. The book called The Consolation of Philosophy was throughout the Middle Ages, and down to the beginnings of the modern epoch in the sixteenth century, the scholar's familiar companion. Few books have exercised a wider influence in their time. It has been translated into every European tongue, and into English nearly a dozen times, from King Alfred's paraphrase to the translations of Lord Preston, Causton, Ridpath, and Duncan, in the eighteenth century. The belief that what once pleased so widely must still have some charm is my excuse for attempting the present translation. The great work of Boethius, with its alternate prose and verse, skilfully fitted together like dialogue and chorus in a Greek play, is unique in literature, and has a pathetic interest from the time and circumstances of its composition. It ought not to be forgotten. Those who can go to the original will find their reward. There may be room also for a new translation in English after an interval of close on a hundred years.

2016 Reprint of the 1962 edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Translated, with an introduction and notes by Richard H. Green. The Consolation of Philosophy was written in the sixth-century and has been described as having had the single most important influence on the Christianity of the Middle Ages and early Renaissance and as the last great work of the Classical Period. From the Carolingian epoch to the end of the Middle Ages and beyond, this was the most widely copied work of secular literature in Europe. It was one of the most popular and influential philosophical works, read by statesmen, poets, and historians, as well as of philosophers and theologians. It is through Boethius that much of the thought of the Classical period was made available to the Western Medieval world. It has often been said Boethius was the last of the Romans and the first of the Scholastics. The philosophical message of the book fits well with the religious piety of the Middle Ages. Readers were encouraged not to seek worldly goods such as money and power, but to seek internalized virtues. Evil had a purpose, to provide a lesson to help change for good; while suffering from evil was seen as virtuous.

The Consolation of Philosophy is a work by the sixth-century philosopher Boethius that has been described as having had the single most important influence on the Christianity of the Middle Ages and early Renaissance and as the last great work of the Classical Period. The Consolation of Philosophy was written in AD 523 during a one-year imprisonment Boethius served while awaiting trial - and eventual execution - for the alleged crime of treason under the Ostrogothic King Theodoric the Great. Boethius was at the very heights of power in Rome and was brought down by treachery. This experience inspired the text, which reflects on how evil can exist in a world governed by God (the problem of theodicy), and how happiness can be attainable amidst fickle fortune, while also considering the nature of happiness and God. It has been described as by far the most interesting example of prison literature the world has ever seen.

King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius is a translation of the classic philosophical work by Boethius, completed by King Alfred of Wessex in the late 9th century. The Consolations of Boethius is a dialogue between Boethius and Lady Philosophy, in which Boethius reflects on the nature of happiness, the role of fate in human life, and the ultimate nature of reality. King Alfred's translation is notable for its clarity and accessibility, and for the way in which it reflects the concerns and values of Anglo-Saxon England. The book provides a fascinating insight into the intellectual and cultural world of the late Anglo-Saxon period, and is an important work of early English literature.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Boethius������� Consolation of Philosophy is a classical work of philosophy and literature, written by the Roman philosopher Boethius in the 6th century AD. The book is structured as a dialogue between Boethius and Lady Philosophy, who appears to him in his prison cell, where he is awaiting execution. Lady Philosophy offers Boethius consolation and guidance in his time of despair, using philosophical arguments and insights to help him understand the nature of happiness, the role of fate and free will, and the relationship between God and humanity. Along the way, Boethius and Lady Philosophy discuss a range of philosophical topics, including ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology, drawing on the wisdom of classical Greek and Roman philosophers as well as Christian theology. The Consolation of Philosophy is a timeless meditation on the human condition, offering readers a profound and inspiring vision of the nature of reality and the meaning of life.An Excellent Translation With Very Useful Notes, And A Life Of Boethius, Drawn Up With Great Accuracy And Fidelity.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work

Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy is a philosophical work written by the Roman statesman and philosopher Boethius in the 6th century. The book is a dialogue between Boethius and Lady Philosophy, who appears to him in his time of distress. Boethius, who had been imprisoned and sentenced to death, seeks comfort and understanding of his situation. Lady Philosophy offers him consolation by discussing the nature of happiness, the role of fortune in human life, and the relationship between free will and divine foreknowledge. The book is divided into five parts, each exploring a different aspect of philosophy, including logic, ethics, and metaphysics. Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy is considered a masterpiece of medieval literature and a significant contribution to the Western philosophical tradition. It has been translated into many languages and has influenced the works of numerous philosophers and writers throughout history.With Notes And Illustrations.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

In Ciceronis Topica and De topicis differentiis are Boethius's two treatises on Topics (loci). Together these two works present Boethius's theory of the art of discovering arguments, a theory that was highly influential in the history of medieval logic. Eleonore Stump here presents the first English language translation of In Ciceronis Topica, Boethius's extended commentary on Cicero's Topica. To supplement her translation, Professor Stump has provided an introduction that supplies essential information about In Ciceronis Topica, Boethius's life, and the tradition of dialectic; her detailed notes explore the many philosophical problems in Boethius's text.

A significant contribution to the history of Western intellectual life in its own right, Boethius's ''In Ciceronis Topica makes an excellent companion to Professor Stump's earlier work, Boethius's De topicis differentiis (also available from Cornell).

Boethius (c.480-c.525) wrote his highly influential second commentary on Aristotle's On Interpretation in Latin, but using the style of the Greek commentaries on Aristotle. It was part of his project to bring knowledge of Plato and Aristotle to the Latin-speaking world of his fellow Christians. The project was cruelly interrupted by his execution at the age of about 45, leaving the Latin world under-informed about Greek Philosophy for 700 years. Boethius reveals to us how On Interpretation was understood not only by himself, but also by some of the best Greek interpreters, especially Alexander and Porphyry. Alexander had insisted that its subject was composite thoughts, not composite sentences nor composite things - it is thoughts that are primarily true or false. Although Aristotle's first six chapters define name, verb, sentence, statement, affirmation and negation, Porphyry had claimed that Aristotelians believe in three types of name and verb, written, spoken and mental, in other words a language of the mind.

Boethius discusses individuality and ascribes to Aristotle a view that each individual is distinguished by having a composite quality that is not merely unshared, but unshareable. Boethius also discusses why we can still say that the dead Homer is a poet, despite having forbidden us to say that the dead Socrates is either sick or well. But Boethius' most famous contribution is his interpretation of Aristotle's discussion of the threat of that tomorrow's events, for example a sea battle, will have been irrevocable 10,000 years ago, if it was true 10,000 years ago that there would be a sea battle on that day. In Boethius' later Consolation of Philosophy, written in prison awaiting execution, he offered a seminal conception of eternity to solve the related problem of future events being irrevocable because of God's foreknowledge of them.

Boethius' influential commentary was part of his ideal of bringing Plato and Aristotle to the Latin-speaking world. Throughout the Latin Middle Ages, it remained the standard introduction to On Interpretation.

This volume contains the first English translation of Boethius' commentary, as well as a detailed introduction, notes and bibliography.

Chaucer's Boece is a translation of Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy by Geoffrey Chaucer, a renowned English poet and philosopher. This edition was published in 1886 and features an introduction by Walter W. Skeat, a prominent philologist and Chaucer scholar.The Consolation of Philosophy is a philosophical treatise written by Boethius in the 6th century AD while he was imprisoned and awaiting execution. The work explores the nature of happiness, the role of fortune in human affairs, the relationship between free will and determinism, and the nature of God.Chaucer's translation of the Consolation of Philosophy is considered one of his most important works and is notable for its poetic language and use of rhyme. It is also significant for its influence on English literature, particularly the development of the English sonnet.This edition of Chaucer's Boece includes both the Middle English text and a modern English translation, making it accessible to contemporary readers. It is a valuable resource for scholars and students of medieval literature, philosophy, and language.Englished From Anicii Manlii Severini Boetii Philosophiae Consolationis, Book 5. Also Contains Chaucer�������s Boece Englished From Boethius�������s De Consolatione Philosophiae.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.