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Boethius’ ‘Consolation of Philosophy’

Boethius’ ‘Consolation of Philosophy’

Boethius’ ‘Consolation of Philosophy’

A Critical Guide
Michael Wiitala, Cleveland State University
May 2024
Available
Hardback
9781009288224

    Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy was one of the most widely read and influential texts in medieval Europe, considering questions such as How can evil exist in a world governed by God? And how is happiness still attainable despite the vicissitudes of fortune? Written as a dialogue between Boethius and Lady Philosophy, and alternating between poetry and prose, the Consolation is of interest not only to philosophers but to students of classics and literature as well. In this Critical Guide, the first collection of philosophical essays devoted exclusively to the Consolation, thirteen new essays demonstrate its ongoing vitality and break open its riches for a new generation of readers. The essays reflect the diverse array of approaches in contemporary scholarship and attend to both the literary features and the philosophical content of the Consolation. The volume will be invaluable for scholars of medieval philosophy, medieval literature, and the history of ideas.

    • Reflects the diverse array of approaches taken in contemporary scholarship and attends to both the literary features and philosophical content of the Consolation
    • Reveals previously unnoticed connections between the literary and more transparently philosophical sections of Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy
    • The first collection of philosophical essays devoted exclusively to the work, addressing its most prominent themes and features

    Product details

    May 2024
    Hardback
    9781009288224
    268 pages
    235 × 159 × 20 mm
    0.54kg
    Available

    Table of Contents

    • Introduction Michael Wiitala
    • 1. Boethius' Philosophiae consolatio: the intersection of literary form and philosophical content John Magee
    • 2. The ascent from ð to è: or on philosophy's teaching a blind man to see Siobhan Nash-Marshall
    • 3. Lady philosophy as a feminine personification of wisdom Wendy Elgersma Helleman
    • 4. Boethius' christianity in the consolatio: a history of the debate Claudio Moreschini
    • 5. The blending of pagan and Christian elements in book III of the consolatio Renato de Filippis
    • 6. The human person in the consolation of philosophy Mark K. Spencer
    • 7. Self-investigation, self-knowledge, and inner-conflict in Boethius' consolation of philosophy Antonio Donato
    • 8. What it means to be a god: providence and punishment in the consolation of philosophy Paul DiRado
    • 9. A consolation through philosophical insight? Boethius' practical philosophy Thomas Jürgasch
    • 10. Being and existence in the consolation of philosophy Michael Wiitala
    • 11. Circle and sphere metaphors for god's nature and providence in Boethius' consolation of philosophy and dionysius' On divine names Vladimir Cvetkoviæ
    • 12. Time and eternity in the consolation of philosophy Jonathan Evans
    • 13. Boethius on human freedom and divine foreknowledge Katherin Rogers
    • References
    • Index.
      Contributors
    • Michael Wiitala, John Magee, Siobhan Nash-Marshall, Wendy Elgersma Helleman, Claudio Moreschini, Renato de Filippis, Mark K. Spencer, Antonio Donato, Paul DiRado, Thomas Jürgasch, Vladimir Cvetkoviæ, Jonathan Evans, Katherin Rogers

    • Editor
    • Michael Wiitala , Cleveland State University

      Michael Wiitala is Associate College Lecturer in Philosophy at Cleveland State University. His essays have appeared in journals such as Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy and Apeiron and in collections such as Deification in the Latin Patristic Tradition (2019) and A Companion to Ancient Philosophy (2018).