Product Description
Boethius was an eminent public figure under the Gothic emperor Theodoric, and an exceptional Greek scholar. When he became involved in a conspiracy and was imprisoned in Pavia, it was to the Greek philosophers that he turned. "The Consolation" was written in the period leading up to his brutal execution. It is a dialogue of alternating prose and verse between the ailing prisoner and his 'nurse' Philosophy. Her instruction on the nature of fortune and happiness, good and evil, fate and free will, restore his health and bring him to enlightenment. "The Consolation" was extremely popular throughout medieval Europe and his ideas were influential on the thought of Chaucer and Dante. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

A Rare and Varied Consolation
Boethius's "The Consolation of Philosophy" is a rare and unusual philosophical work in that it continues to be read by many people who are not philosophers or students of philosophy. This is witnessed by the thoughtful reader reviews here on Amazon. The work continues to be read, I think, because Boethius placed his philosophy in the context of his own experience. The book has a personal and immediate tone. Boethius also broadened the book to make his own experience speak to many people of his own and later times. Most readers will find at least some of Boethius's philosophical teachings valuable and persuasive. The book also combines philosophy with a beautiful literary style. Poetry alternates with and supplements philosophy.Philosophy is personified and speaks to Boethius in the form of a beautiful woman.The book is full of allusions to classical Greek and Roman literature.

Boethius (480 -- 524 A.D.) wrote this book near the end of life that was both active and scholarly. He had occupied a high position in the Roman Empire before he was imprisoned for treason. He wrote the book in prison in the months before he was brutally tortured and killed. At the beginning of the Consolation, Boethius is morose and grieving over the injustice of his imprisonment and impending fate. He feels that his life has been meaningless.

When she enters, the figure of philosophy largely recalls Boethius to himself. The discussion proceeds in layers, moving from the concrete and specific to the abstract. Philosophy tells Boethius that she must take him and his situation as she finds them and move gradually to help Boethius understand himself. As the book proceeds, it becomes more of a teaching by philosophy than a dialogue between philosophy and Boethius.Prose and argument take the place of poetry as the book becomes heavily Neoplatonic and theistic in tone.

I understood best the earlier parts of this short works, largely books I -- III of the five books in which it is divided. Here, with philosophy's guidance, Boethius meditates on what makes life worthwhile.He comes to understand that what he had primarily valued in life -- things such as pleasure, power, money, success -- are evanescent and pass away. They do not produce true happiness because they are not part of what a person is and can be taken away.They are inherently changeable and fickle. In an important passage in Book II, philosophy says (p.31):

"Why then do you mortal men seek after happiness outside yourselves, when it lies within you? You are led astray by error and ignorance. I will briefly show you what complete happiness hinges upon. If I ask you whether there is anything more precious to you than your own self, you will say no.So if you are in possession of yourself you will possess something you would never wish to lose and something Fortune could never take away.In order to see that happiness can't consist in things governed by chance, look at it this way.If happiness is the highest good of rational nature and anything that can be taken away is not the highest good-since it is surpassed by what can't be taken away -- Fortune by her very mutability can't hope to lead to happiness."

Boethius introduces the figure of the wheel of fortune which, apart from the personification of philosophy, is the most striking figure of the book. He was not the first to use this metaphor, but he made it his own.The figure of the wheel and the emphasis of change and suffering in life reminded me of Buddhist teachings which I have been studying for the past several years. Boethius does not take his philosophy this way but instead develops a Neoplatonic vision of the One or of God which culminates in a beautiful poem at the conclusion of Book III section 9 of the Consolation (pp 66-67).In the remaining portions of the Consolation, Boethius seeks for further understanding of happiness and of the good. Philosophy's answer becomes more difficult and theological.If focuses on the claimed non-existence of evil, the difference between eternity and time, and the nature of Providence.

In rereading the book, I thought Boethius convincingly presented what people today would call an existential or experiential situation -- he was imprisoned far from home and awaiting a gruesome death. He learns some highly particular and valuable ways of understanding that help him -- and the reader -- with his condition. As he develops his understanding, Boethius and philosophy adopt a Neoplatonic synthesis of Plato and Aristotle that contemporary readers are likely to reject or not understand. There is a further difficult question whether Boethius's teachings are exclusively Neoplatonic and pagan, or whether they are Christian as well. (Christianity and Jewish-Christian texts go unmentioned in the Consolation.)

Thus, I think the Consolation continues to be read and revered largely because of the situation it develops in its initial pages and because of Boethius's poetically moving teaching of the nature of change, suffering and loss. It is valuable to have the opportunity to see these things.With change in times and perspective, not all readers will agree with or see the necessity for the Neoplatonic (or Jewish-Christian, given one's reading of the work) underpinnings with which Boethius girds his teaching of change and suffering. As I mentioned, it is tempting to see parallels with Buddhism.But it is more likely that modern readers will try to work out Boethius's insights for themselves in a framework which is primarily secular. I thought that much of the early part of the book, for example, could well have been written by Spinoza. The Consolation remains a living book both because of what it says and also because it allows the reader to take Boethius's insights and capture them while moving in somewhat different directions.

Robin Friedman

Calm before the storm
Boethius as he is waiting to be unjustly gruesomely tortured writes this classic of Western Civilization. This as well as Aristotle, were two of the major guiding works through the Middle Ages translated by King Alfred and Queen Elizabeth as well.

Consolation for Us All
The Consolation of Philosophy is a work of genius.In the Middle Ages, it was the second most widely read book after the Bible.Combining allegory, poetry, and platonic thought, Boethius (475-525 CE), sought to address philosophical questions that still plague us today:issues of God, time, free will, and justice.And he did it all while in prison, awaiting his execution by the Gothic emperor Theodoric, which makes it all the more immediate, urgent, and absorbing.

Boethius illustrates, among other things, that evil people live in their own hells; that vanity and worldly pursuits are empty; that God is good.And Boethian thought is reassuring and familiar; partly due to the fact that many of us are products of the Middle Ages culture that he helped to create, but also because the Greek philosophy that supports his philosophic contentions is also implicitly pervasive.Whatever the reason, reading him feels like being aquainted with, and being consoled by, an old friend.

Philosophy in Action
The Lady Philosophy appeared to Boethius in a vision while Boethius was in prison for political crimes.This book, while highly entertaining, set the stage for medieval philosophy.Among others, St Thomas Aquinas would be in constant conversation with Boethius.

The first section contains a fiery retort by Boethius concerning his imprisonment.

Eventually he and Lady Philosophy get into a discussion concerning true happiness (which St Thomas would essentially copy several centuries later).They define happiness as participating in the highest good, which is God. All other definitions of happiness cannot simultaneously maintain the qualifications for happiness.

The problem of evil:Boethius follows St Augustine in defining evil as a privation of being.Boethius takes it one step further in saying that evil men do not exist!I will let you figure this one out.

Time and eternity:Boethius defines eternity as the simultaneously possessing the fullness of life without end, always appearing in the present.

Conclusion:A masterful and stirring read.Philosophy at its best.A few qualms:I don't think Boethius fully held together is discussion of fate and free will and providence.Good yes and quite original, but...

Anyway, a wonderful read.

Recovering from amnesia
Each time I teach Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy in my Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy course, I'm struck by what a wonderful text it is.There are at least three reasons for this.

First, it's as good an introduction to the worldview of the late antiquity/early medieval periods as one's likely to find.That worldview is likely to strike contemporary ears as foreign--Boethius' conflation, for example, of the good, happiness, and God in Book III--but it's well worth attending to.

Second, reading Boethius is an education in good argumentation.One can disagree with the premises upon which his arguments rest while still admiring and profiting from the rigor of the arguments themselves.Boethius himself tells us that his method is to "unfold" conclusions "without the help of any external aid"--tradition or authority--"but [instead] with one internal proof grafted upon another so that each [draws] its credibility from that which preceded" (p. 82).And he lives up to his word.

Finally, the existential questions Boethius explores in the Consolation are astoundingly vital today.Here's a guy who was once one of the most powerful men in the Roman empire fallen from grace and facing a very messy death.In writing the Consolation, he tries to come to terms with the fickleness of fortune, the problem of evil (why do bad things happen to good people), the secret of happiness, the issue of free will, and the meaning of human existence.Boethius finally concludes that he, like most humans, had been suffering from what might be called philosophical amnesia.He'd allowed his fast-paced lifestyle to induce forgetfulness of who he was and the way he should live his life.In those final months of his life, living in a solitary jail cell and pondering his own mortality, Boethius begins to remember.Reading his wonderful little book can help us, fifteen hundred years later, to awaken from our own amnesias.

Of all the translations of the Consolation I've read, Victor Watts' is my favorite.But be forewarned:his Introduction to the book will tell you almost nothing about the contents and issues of Boethius' book. ... Read more

Product Description
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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The One and the Good
_Here you find the unequivocal declaration that not riches, not high position, not fame, not physical pleasure are worth pursuing in-and-of themselves. Such things are of value only if they are obtained in the pursuit of the highest Good. This highest Good is demonstrated to be God. Moreover, Boethius points out that when evil men succeed in obtaining such goals over the righteous, then they cease to truly be men- they are beasts and subhuman. This is a refreshing reminder in the modern world, a world not unlike that of late Roman times.

_All happiness, all worth, all reason for being, lies in the One and the Good. Even when we commit immoral acts, it is a result of ignorance on our part in seeking this ultimate goal. Indeed, to turn from the quest of finding the One is to cease to exist at any meaningful level. There is no "fire and brimstone", or talk of eternal torment in hell here. There doesn't need to be. As long as you willfully or ignorantly stray from the Path then you are in hell. And to not find reconnection with the One and the Good is to cease to exist. All of our earthly existence is for the purpose of reawakening to our true nature. This truth lies within all of us and it is only reached by personal introspection (Know thyself.) Only in this way will we return to the eternal Source that lies beyond time itself.

_The consolation of the Consolatio lies in the fact that suffering serves a purpose if it puts us back on the true Path. Moreover, earthly recognition of virtue is irrelevent. God always recognises the man of virtue if the masses do not.

The Consolation of Philosophy
A classic 6th century philosophical argument between a man sentenced to death and the female spirit Philosophy.It was standard reading during the Middle Ages. ... Read more

Product Description
One of the most influential texts to come out of the late Middle Ages.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.

... Read more

Product Description
The Theological Tractates and The Consolation of Philosophy is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Worthy Consolation to Remember
Lady Philosophy poses the question to the wearied and worried Boethius: "Then can you say, what is a man?"Boethius answers that he knows for certain that he is a "mortal, rational animal.""And do you not know," Lady Philosophy asks further, "that you are anything more?""I am nothing more," Boethius replies."Now I know," Lady Philosophy charges, "you have forgotten what you are" (Book I, Prose VI).In this Loeb Classical Library translation (translated by S.J. Tester), Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy and his theological tractates are rendered accessible to both the serious student as well as the leisured reader.The very fine English translation (save a few arguable points) is set side by side the Latin text which allows the student to pay deeper attention to Boethius himself as well as enter into a conversation with the translator.The notes offered throughout the Consolation help the reader to see just how embedded this work is within the ancient philosophical traditions of the Greco-Roman world.However, there is unfortunately only one explicit reference to the Book of Wisdom (following Aquinas), but it seems that the Consolation is equally indebted to the Jewish wisdom tradition.Although this link is under-represented in the notes, it is still a wonderfully referenced translation.The Consolation deals with the basic questions of the human condition and of reality as such.Journeying from the outward to the inner human being, which is also the journey of ascent to the divine, Boethius tackles the basic questions of what constitutes the good and its identity with happiness, which is all a part of deification.This is the lighter medicine of Boethius' consoling philosophy that increases in strength until Lady Philosophy brings Boethius to the question of divine foreknowledge and human freedom.If God foreknows all things, then is there ever a truly free act among voluntary beings?This is the great dilemma not only of Boethius' time but also of our time.Boethius will not stand for chaos or determinism; rather, he argues for the distinct intelligence of God that is in eternity (as he classically defined it) and which "with one glance of his mind distinguishes both those things necessarily coming to be and those not necessarily coming to be..." (Book V, Prose VI).This distinction between two intelligences (human and divine) brings Boethius to the point of prayer: "Nor vainly are our hopes placed in God, nor our prayers, which when they are right cannot be ineffectual" (Book V, Prose VI).In the history of human thought Boethius has not had the last word on this persistent question, but any student of philosophy or theology must spend time with Boethius before moving on.In the theological tractates (private correspondence) Boethius writes in a more explicitly Christian manner.Although, calling them "theological" tractates seems to imply that the Consolation is not theological which would be a wrong conclusion and one foreign to Boethius.The tractates speak to the same philosophical truth iterated in the Consolation, simply now within the specific economy of Christian language.Indeed, reading the tractates and the Consolation together makes for a fuller understanding of Boethius.The work of Boethius wielded enormous influence upon the emerging medieval and European civilization.Although a bit forgotten now, Boethius offers every student of theology, philosophy, literature or any other discipline concerned with the common good essential food for thought.This fine translation renders this enormously important work accessible to the widest possible readership.For that, this work is to be praised, bought and read.

From Stoicism to Scholasticism
"The last of the Romans and the first of the scholastics" is a term often used of Boethius, a Christian of the late 5th, early 6th centuries.In fact, similar appellations are used for Augustine, who lived a century earlier.I suppose it is fair to say that the period from Augustine to Boethius represents the transition from classical to medieval thinking, and for an appreciation of how European thought evolved, you need to make the acquaintance of both.

Boethius's most famous work is The Consolation of Philosophy.The tone and content of the work are distinctively Stoical.I have said in another review that Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations" is Stoicism for monarchs, whereas "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas A Kempis is Stoicism for monks.If so, then "Consolation" is Stoicism for martyrs.It has been argued that Stoicism formed the rational basis for the fledgling Christian theology and "Consolation" is strong evidence for that.So it is remarkable that the work, written by a Christian, makes no mention of Christianity.Boethius wanted to show (himself and his readers) that Reason alone, unaided by Faith could enable one to come to terms with the most dreadful suffering.Coming from a man who has lost status, wealth, everything, and is rotting in a prison cell, facing torture and death, it is an extraordinary achievement.

A believer in an omnipotent and omniscient god has a problem explaining the existence of free will.Actually, the atheist has just the same problem, reconciling determinism with free will.Boethius tackles the question head on, along with the related one of how evil can exist in a world designed by a god of perfect goodness.His is not the last word on these subjects -- nothing ever will be - but it is an indispensable contribution.

The Loeb Library edition includes some theological works by Boethius, to give a broader view of his thought, and has a parallel Latin text, which is nice to have even if, like me, your knowledge of the language is slight.Contrary to what the Amazon editorial suggests, the translation of "Consolation" in this edition is by SJ Tester.It is an accurate translation with a kind of taut elegance that is often more admirable than readable.If you want an authoritative edition of the works of Boethius, go with Loeb.If you want a more readable rendering of just the "Consolation", you may be better with another edition.

"A Collection of Masterworks"
Boethius was certainly a bright spot in the midst of a darkening world flooded by barbarians and intellectually on the decline. Boethius was among the few commentators and compilers of his age who endeavored to preserve the tenets of Greek Philosophy. His commentaries and translations of the original Greek texts of Aristotle were the only Latin translations known to the Western world until the renaissance and ultimately paved the way for Aquinas' "Summa Theologia." So, with this in mind, Boethius' works made a very significant impact upon the later scholastic philosophers, and to the whole of Catholic tradition as well. Italy, during Boethius' time, was under the rule of Theoderic the Ostrogoth, who unjustly imprisoned the statesman/philosopher, falsely accusing him of treason. While waiting for his execution, Boethius wrote his "Consolation of Philosophy." The book itself is among the masterpieces of all time, and the only thing as tragic as Boethius' untimely death is the fact that we were not able to obtain anymore works from this genius with the golden pen. Had he remained alive, it is very likely that we would have seen a sublime synthesis, in Latin, of Plato and Aristotle, not contradicting each other but complimenting one another. However, in short, this book is a small manifestation of what may have happened if he lived longer. What is interesting about this book is that it handles several different perspectives, namely that of the sorrowful Boethius and the consoling wisdom of Lady Philosophy, written both in eloquent prose and dazzling verse, which together ultimately culminates into a one of the most moving, inspiring, and thought provoking philosophical works of all time. The book is indefatigable, in that it never seems to quit opening new corridors of thought; and it is essential, because it is the philosopher's ideal breviary. It is interesting to note - and this is certainly not a negation to his Christian convictions - that while this Saint was awaiting his execution he remembered Athens, not Calvary.The other works contained in the volume are some minor Theological tractates: namely, "De Trinitate," "Utrem Pater Et Filius," "De Fide Catholica," "Quomodo Substanitiae," and "Contra Eutychen."While many individuals attempt to downplay Boethius' Christianity since "The Consolation" makes no direct mention of Christ, it nevertheless cannot be denied that many Christian elements underlay the theme of the work; and also it must be noted that when Boethius writes philosophy he is strictly writing philosophy and he writes theology he is strictly writing theology.Boethius is without a doubt the Christian Socrates.

Precursor of Medieval Scholasticism
This volume contains the five little Tractates (De Trinitate, Utrum Pater et Filius, Quomodo Substantiae, De Fide Catholica, and Contra Eutychen), plus the monumental "Consolation of Philosophy" written by Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (A.D. 480-524) as he awaited his brutal execution. Most of the translation is the work of S.J. Tester, whose aim was "to produce throughout the volume a homogeneous rendering, reasonably literal, which would make philosophical sense." De Trinitate is a purely philosophical defense of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. The "Consolation" is considered the last example of purely literary Latin of ancient times; a mingling of alternate dialogue and poems.

The Best Book You'll Ever Read?
The Consolation of Philosophy is among the best books I have ever read. I understand from a friend and authority that virtually every educated person in the West read this book until the 19th century and that there have been hundreds of translations. It is a pity that the work has all but droppedfrom the syllabus of Higher Education in the United States. ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Self-Help / Personal Growth / Happiness; Philosophy / Religious; Philosophy / History ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

oh Boethius
I cried when I read Plato's "Apology," though only because I love Socrates with such a pure and friendly love. Boethius lived and died, like Socrates, a true philosopher.

Must Read
The most important text of the Middle Ages and a best seller for 1,000 years.If you want to know why people are unhappy READ THIS BOOK!

Ancient wisdom for the ages.
Excellent. Reader friendly. Ancient wisdom still relative today as Western values are engulfed in the material. If you are a student of Plato and Aristotle this is right down your philosophical alley.

Faith and philosophy in the early Middle Ages
Awaiting his execution on trumpted up charges, Boethius attempts to reconcile his unjust sentence with concepts of "justice", "power", "happiness" and of course, "faith."Considered the first truly medieval philosopher, Boethius conducts a Platonic dialogue with Lady Philosophy, attempting to reconcile his Christian faith with the classical rationalist philosophy of Artistotle and Plato.What results is the first elucidation of "scholasticism" - and Boethius' conclusion that faith and reason are reconcilable.

Beyond the philosophical, I was struck by Boethius' resignation to his fate and his quiet confidence in the wrongs being righted."No one can doubt that God is almighty" Philosophy began."Certainly not, unless he is mad" I answered."But nothing is impossible for one who is almighty.""Nothing.""Then can God do evil?""No, of course not.""Then evil is nothing, since God, who can do all things, cannot do evil."

Both an excellent philosophical tract and a testament to the strength of human reason and belief, I highly recommend it.

When you find yourself in times of trouble....
The truly amazing thing about this work is that it was written in PRISON as Boethius awaited execution (following judgment and conviction based upon spurious charges). Bearing that in mind as I read "The Consolation of Philosophy" (if anyone ever needed consolation, it was an innocent man awaiting his own death; Christians should be able to relate to that idea) made it all the more remarkable. If you ever feel that life isn't fair, that others have it "in" for you, that it's tough to get an even break, maybe reading this will put things in better perspective. If not, it won't be due to Boethius' shortcomings.... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Well-Rounded Study on the Life,Thought, and Work of Boethius
The accomplished scholar Henry Chadwick, in his work Boethius: The Consolations of Music, Logic, Theology, and Philosophy, has produced a well-rounded, critical approach to the life and influence, to the writings and teachings, of the philosopher, statesman, and Catholic saint, Boethius.First off, Chadwick provides a fairly extensive sketch of the religious and political milieu of the declining west that Boethius was born into: the relations between Romans and Goths, Catholics and Arians, between Church and State, Platonism and Christianity, are all laid out in a clear and concise fashion.This overview, while treating the aspects of Boethius rearing, education, and career, leads all the way to his tragic death.From here, Chadwick begins his artful analysis of Boethius works: his exploits in the fields of music, arithmetic, geometry and astronomy are dealt with briefly.Then Chadwick handles the efforts of Boethius within the fields of logic and rhetoric; he surveys the scholar's writings and commentaries upon the works of Aristotle and many of the preeminent adherents of the school of Neoplatonism.Next, the Christian Theology of Boethius is surfaced through Chadwick's exposition upon the five theological tractates of the scholar.And finally, Boethius' masterwork, The Consolation of Philosophy, is given a fairly extensive analysis which brings to light the religion and philosophy of the Saint [feast of St Boethius Oct. 23].Overall, this is a comprehensive study of the last of the Romans, and first of the scholastics [as Lorenza Valla put it], which touches upon everything of primary significance in this great man's life and labor.Possibly the most commendable feature of this work, is the fact that Henry Chadwick respectively placed Boethius in a seat of importance within the framework of the Early Church.Here, the Legend of Boethius is turned into a concrete fact.For Boethian studies, Chadwick's work may be the most resourceful and enduring.It is to be considered the standard text for Boethius. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

"De Topicis Differentiis: A Much-Needed Text"
Prior to Eleanore Stump's rendition of Boethius' De Topicis Differentiis, this text was only to be found in the massive collection of manuscripts compiled by the great J.P. Migne entitled Patrologia Latina.So this edition is ground-breaking to say the least.In this much-needed work, Stump has provided philosophers, students and scholars with the first text translated outside the original Latin.In part one, Stump presents a concise and insightful introduction with extensive notes covering points addressed by Boethius throughout the treatise.Also, in part two, Stump provides a detailed analyses of Dialectic in Ancient and Medieval Logic, which ultimately proves the important role Boethius played in the transfer of knowledge from the ancient to the medieval period.At last it must be noted that the reading found here is anything but elementary; it is not recommended for anyone who has no former experience with the study of logic.Eleanore Stump herself explains in the intro that Boethius' work is highly advanced.Students are recommended to either cultivate patience and perserverance in order to tackle the nature of this text, or else they should consult their mentor or professor for guidance.Overall, this work is a treasure brought out from oblivion, which is now accessible for anyone seeking a greater understanding of the study of dialectic or in the influence of the great philosopher Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius. ... Read more

Product Description

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.

Customer Reviews (3)

A worthy edition of a worthy book
I begin my comments with two disclaimers: (1) I would not presume to "review" Boethius, but I can offer a few superficial comments on this edition which may be of use to potential buyers; and (2) I do not know Latin, but can read Boethius only in translation.

There were many passages in this translation that I recognized as being definitely idiomatically modern. Those passages felt anachronistic to me and made me doubt to some extent that I was reading "the real thing", at least as much as one can ever read "the real thing" in translation. On the whole, though, allowing for that one not insignificant complaint, I recommend this translation for its fine, clear style.

The evident modernity of the translation made me want to read some other translation, so that when I was finished with this one, then just for something different, I chose Chaucer's Middle English translation, "Boece".I could not have successfully read "The Consolation of Philosophy" for the first time in Middle English, but I can read it in M.E. the second time.I am still chipping away at that, but so far Chaucer's translation seems distinctly more emotional to me than Slavitt's, and thus conveys a very different feeling.Maybe Chaucer and Slavitt have both impressed the emotional styles of their own ages onto the text? But how would I ever know?In any case, if the style of Slavitt's translation made me at once mostly happy, and yet needing to read another, then that is a sign of success for the translation.

As for Lerer's introduction, and also the physical quality of the book, I second the favorable comments of another reviewer, Mr. Allen Shull; see his review.

Verse and Prose in Philosophical Union
The Consolation of Philosophy is a divinely inspired work. Under the conditions of it's creation one has to feel Philosophy being utilized the way it should be- TO DIE WELL. Not necessarily in external comfort, but instead having the mind in balance with the rest of our bodily centers of feeling and action. So no matter what Providence or Fate may be, we are Being.

I enjoy this book very, very much! This is a contemplative piece worthy of reading and re-reading throughtout our life for many reasons. One being to remember and re-remember what we already know! What separates us from the One, the Beautiful and the Good? With the help of Lady Philosophy aiding us psychologically we can answer and destroy the recurring obstacles that we falsely create; because we think that these false creations are the Good. Probably because of wrong fundamental premises of outlook. Boethius is here to help with that. Moving with Platonic and Aristotelian swiftness. Mixing deduction and induction in the way it is suppose to work. Plato and Aristotle are compliments, a marriage, but so often they are divorced! Why!?

The translation of prose by David R. Slavitt is very good. The translated verse is excellent. I would buy it just for his translation of verses. Include very good prose- sold! I also have the penguin edition by Watts. The Harvard/Slavitt edition is superior.

A Good, Solid, Readable, Beautiful, Understandable Translation
I have not read this edition, but I own it and plan to this summer. Why am I reviewing it now? Because, well, nobody else has.

I've read the Consolation before, in several versions (Watts, James, Green), and this is the only one that I've seen that has a decent introduction by Seth Lerer, a must for readers unfamiliar with the text, with Boethius as a man, and with the time he lived in. Also, a short bibliography is given, which is always useful.

Additionally, for $15, this is a hardback. Hardback beats softcover any day of the week. The dust jacket has magnificent design by Tim Jones, showing almost the book being uncovered, revealed, out of the darkness of time--and as something precious and personal, something that was once often carried around for comfort and solace.

This edition mimics that. The pages are a nice ivory--not the harsh white of other editions, in a good readable serif font. The book is small and dignified, and the font is large enough to read easily and small enough to not be cloying.

Finally, as to the text--and again, I have finished reading this translation--the poetic sections of Boethius's work are translated _into poetry_. The poems are not translated into rhyming couplets, as some other translators have done, but have a good cadence of assonance and alliteration.

UPDATE:
I have now read this version, and teach out of it. Since my initial review, I've also seen the Oxford Walsh translation, but it sounds a little stuffy for my tastes, and oddly uses verse-style numbering in the prose passages. Aside from these issues, the quality of the paper and the book seems quite insufficient--pulpy and floppy, especially compared to the firm crispness of this edition. Of course, that translation is available on the Kindle, so if you're looking for a modern translation you can use digitally, that's your best bet. ... Read more

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Joel Relihan's translation highlights the poetry of the Consolation while remaining faithful to Boethius' Latin.Amazon.com Review
Unjustly imprisoned and waiting to die, Boethius penned his last and greatest work, Consolation of Philosophy, an imaginary dialogue between himself and Philosophy, personified as a woman. Reminiscent of Dante in places, Boethius's fiction is an ode-to-philosophy-cum-Socratic-dialogue. Joel Relihan's skillful rendering, smoother to the modern ear than previous translations, preserves the book's heart-rending clarity and Boethius's knack for getting it just right. Listen to him on fortune: "We spin in an ever-turning circle, and it is our delight to change the bottom for the top and the top for the bottom. You may climb up if you wish, but on this condition: Don't think it an injustice when the rules of the game require you to go back down."

Consolation of Philosophy recalls the transience of the material world, the eternality of wisdom, and the life of the philosopher. Boethius was deeply influenced by the Platonist tradition, and this piece is one of the more powerful and artful defenses of a detachment that feels almost Buddhist. For anyone who's felt at odds with the world, Consolation is a reminder that the best things in life are eternal. Boethius must be right: the book is just as meaningful today as it was in the sixth century when he wrote it. --Eric de Place ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The One and the Good
Here you find the unequivocal declaration that not riches, not high position, not fame, not physical pleasure are worth pursuing in-and-of themselves. Such things are of value only if they are obtained in the pursuit of the highest Good. This highest Good is demonstrated to be God. Moreover, Boethius points out that when evil men succeed in obtaining such goals over the righteous, then they cease to truly be men- they are beasts and subhuman. This is a refreshing reminder in the modern world, a world not unlike that of late Roman times.

All happyness, all worth, all reason for being, lies in the One and the Good. Even when we commit immoral acts, it is a result of ignorance on our part in seeking this ultimate goal. Indeed, to turn from the quest of finding the One is to cease to exist at any meaningful level. There is no "fire and brimstone", or talk of eternal torment in hell here. There doesn't need to be. As long as you willfully or ignorantly stray from the Path then you are in hell. And to not find reconnection with the One and the Good is to cease to exist. All of our earthly existence is for the purpose of reawakening to our true nature. This truth lies within all of us and it is only reached by personal introspection (Know thyself.) Only in this way will we return to the eternal Source that lies beyond time itself.

The consolation of the Consolatio lies in the fact that suffering serves a purpose if it puts us back on the true Path. Moreover, earthly recognition of virtue is irrelevent. God always recognises the man of virtue if the masses do not.

Relihan's 'Consolation' Should Not Go Unoticed
The Relihan translation emphasizes the philosophical depth of Boethius' Consolation, while faithfully and artfully reproducing the original beauty of his verse and the sublimity of its meaning.With this edition comes a detailed and informative introduction, along with exhaustive notes and a definitive glossary.Joel C. Relihan is one of the leading authorities in Boethian studies; his rendition of the Consolation is one that anyone serious about its study can hardly pass. ... Read more

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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.

Product Description
Boethius (c. 480-c. 525) wrote his highly influential second commentary on Aristotle's On Interpretationin 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. ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The One and the Good
_Here you find the unequivocal declaration that not riches, not high position, not fame, not physical pleasure are worth pursuing in-and-of themselves. Such things are of value only if they are obtained in the pursuit of the highest Good. This highest Good is demonstrated to be God. Moreover, Boethius points out that when evil men succeed in obtaining such goals over the righteous, then they cease to truly be men- they are beasts and subhuman. This is a refreshing reminder in the modern world, a world not unlike that of late Roman times.

_All happiness, all worth, all reason for being, lies in the One and the Good. Even when we commit immoral acts, it is a result of ignorance on our part in seeking this ultimate goal. Indeed, to turn from the quest of finding the One is to cease to exist at any meaningful level. There is no "fire and brimstone", or talk of eternal torment in hell here. There doesn't need to be. As long as you willfully or ignorantly stray from the Path then you are in hell. And to not find reconnection with the One and the Good is to cease to exist. All of our earthly existence is for the purpose of reawakening to our true nature. This truth lies within all of us and it is only reached by personal introspection (Know thyself.) Only in this way will we return to the eternal Source that lies beyond time itself.

_The consolation of the Consolatio lies in the fact that suffering serves a purpose if it puts us back on the true Path. Moreover, earthly recognition of virtue is irrelevent. God always recognises the man of virtue if the masses do not.

Providence, Fortune, and Fate.
This is an account of the ability of the human mind to rise above a man's material failures and the external evils that assault him. Boethius (c 480-524 AD), a Roman scholar and philosopher/statesman, has led a life of privilege and influence. He has taken a stand of conscience in support of the integrity of the Roman senate and, in doing so, has taken a stand contrary to the designs of the Ostrogothic king Theodoric. He is imprisoned (and eventually executed), presumably for subversion or treason, on the strength of perjured testimony against him.
Boethius laments his adverse 'fortunes' and has a vision in which a majestic woman appears to counsel him. She tells him "it is time for medicine rather than complaint," and that he suffers from "the common illness of deceived minds." Boethius recognizes her -- "I saw that she was Philosophy, my nurse, in whose house I had lived from my youth." The consolations that follow are structured in five books (i.e., chapters).
In Book Two, Lady Philosophy examines the nature of the gifts of Fortune. These gifts of Fortune cannot be "good in themselves; whatever goodness is associated with them is to be found in the personal probity of those who happen to possess them." In Book Three, evil is seen as merely the absence of the Good, as Augustine of Hippo had earlier argued. In Book Four, the question of whether virtue is rewarded and evil is punished is examined. At first look it certainly appears that evil often succeeds. Here Providence is contrasted to Fate. For this reader, books three and four were rather weakly argued and tedious, although I am always reluctant to say this about a classic work such as this. The strengths of The Consolation are books 1, 2, and 5.
Book Five is an excellent consideration of the determinism versus freedom problem. If goodness and evil are pre-assigned by Providence, then God cannot be omnibenevolent; in this view, God has willfully authored and imposed evil. There is no such thing as choice or judgment, no such thing as virtue, and all evil must be traced directly to a perverse divine evil. This is a pill that is almost impossible to swallow. It runs contrary to our ideas about God, it runs contrary to our common experiences for we do in fact exercise judgment, make choices, recognize virtue to be something quite at odds with vice. Goodness cannot be devoid of freedom, the Supreme Good cannot, by definition, deny the freedom of the human will. The problem is satisfactorily disposed by carefully considering the nature of Absolute knowledge and by not confusing it, as a flawed theology often does, with 'foreknowledge', a humanly impoverished idea not sufficient to describe the nature of knowledge for a temporally independent and omniscient Being. While the problematic idea of divine 'foreknowledge' suggests both temporal/spatial restraints ("fore") and fake choices, the idea of Absolute knowledge poses no obstacle for the freedom of the will or true omnipresence in both space and time. The general argument of this chapter is one of Boethius' best.

Philosophy as Religion
That Boethius was the "last of the Romans and the first of the scholastics", as has often been said of him, makes him a most unusual character in the history of thought. Serving as a bridge between two worlds, his writings, infused with the ideas of both Aristotle and Plato -- the two giants of ancient Greek philosophy -- allowed for the transmission of Neoplatonism into the emerging Christian intellectual tradition. Through the figure of Boethius the Latin West came to inherit many of the achievements of Greek learning.

The Consolation of Philosophy, Boethius's magnum opus, was one of the most widely read works in medieval Europe, especially in the twelfth century.No doubt, the dramatic context in which the work was written must have greatly accentuated its popularity. But there is more to the Consolation then simply a dramatic background, and this feature in itself would hardly explain the influence of the work on figures ranging from King Alfred to St.Thomas Aquinas.Boethius, being at once a Christian and a philosopher, was confident that reason and faith were reconcilable, and his entire literary enterprise can be summarised in his own words: fidem rationemque coniunge (show the harmony of reason and faith). An inheritor of the Greek tradition, he held that the world was a KOSMOS -- rationally structured, therefore rationally knowable. What makes the Consolation unique is that although it is a religious text, it doesn't make recourse to revealed religion; in Boethius's case, Christianity. That Boethius sought to answer religious questions without reference to Christianity, relying solely on natural philosophy, caused some later figures to question his religious allegiance prior to his death. But Boethius, as has been pointed out, believed in the harmony of faith and reason; being a Christian-Neoplatonic philosopher, for him to have found solace in philosophy does not imply that he left Christianity. For the truths found in Christianity would be no different than the truths found in philosophy, and whether consolation was found in the religion of Christ or Socrates would make no great difference. In the words of Henry Chadwick, "If the Consolation contains nothing distinctively Christian, it is also relevant that it contains nothing specifically pagan either...[it] is a work written by a Platonist who is also a Christian, but is not a Christianwork."

The Consolation begins with Boethius lamenting his plight. Dame Philosophy descends to provide consolance to his bereaved soul, cure him of the extreme melancholy, and rid him of his misfortune, not that of his imprisonment and loss of worldly goods and status, but the spiritual ailment clouding his intellectual vision.

Boethius's troubles, Lady Philosophy tells him, lie within himself. He has been driven into exile by himself. "For if you can remember your true country...'it has one ruler and one king'" and the "oldest law of your true city, [is] that the citizen who has chosen to establish his home there has a sacred right not to be driven away". Dame Philosophy is here referring to his self, the mind. For Boethius, being distracted by external matters, (both the fortunes of his luxurious life and the misfortunes of his political imprisonment), has forgotten his real source of happiness, whose fountain lies within.

In short, the Consolation examines the raison d'etre of philosophy, and its capacity to bring about true and complete happiness -- a happiness which can be acquired by unearthing the hidden treasures which dwell within. Hence philosophy is not an end in itself -- a fruitless game of mental acrobatics -- anymore than a shovel is for one in search of Sophia's treasures.

Boethius expresses the Socratic idea that all men seek the Good, and the Aristotelian idea that this Good is eudaimonia. The attainment of happiness is found through a return of the soul to its primordial state, since "You, too, who are creatures dream of your origin". By the end of the Consolation, Boethius, remembering who he truly is --a rational being endowed with a purpose, to actualise the good and fulfil his true nature -- recovers from his spiritual amnesia through a discovery of the remedy for his extreme sickness: philosophy.

Forgotten who you really are? So has Boethius...
This is the greatest self-help book of all time. It tells the story of Boethius, a prominent Roman who has been thrown in prison. There, he isvisited by Lady Philosophy, and begins to become free.

It is very movingstuff. If you ever wonder where The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Milecome from, this is it.

The language is very easy to read. And youwouldn't be doing yourself justice - to not read it in one sitting. It is arollercoaster that you won't want to get off. It is that good. ... Read more

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Esta obra de Boecio — injustamente encarcelado y condenado a muerte— marca de modo definitivo el espíritu de la Edad Media, dando importancia a la consolación producida por una meditación filosófica abarcadora. En un diálogo imaginario entre el autor y la Filosofía personificada como una mujer, Boecio expone la sabiduría y la belleza, necesidades humanas siempre vigentes que convierten este texto en una propuesta de reflexión válida para nuestros tiempos. ... Read more

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New translations of the central medieval texts on the problem of universals are presented here in an affordable edition suitable for use in courses in medieval philosophy, history of medieval philosophy, and universals. Includes a concise introduction, glossary of important terms, notes, and bibliography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Stunning Introduction to the Complex Medieval Theory of 'Universals'
"It is easy to motivate the problem of universals.Consider these two capital letters: A A. Ignore everything else about them and for now observe only that they are of the same color; they are both black.... Isn't it obvious that you see two colors here, two blacknesses: the blackness of the first A, this blackness, and then the blackness of the second A, that blackness?... But aren't they visually as distinct as the two letters themselves?... The problem of universals is in effect the problem of deciding between these answers" (pg vii).

The reason I included this long quote is to illustrate Paul Vincent Spade's wonderful introduction.He describes in a nutshell the underling problem of Universals in a clear and precise way.This is especially important since the the Late Antique and Medieval philosophers who developed on the theory never manage to explain themselves this precisely.The importance of clarity and concise analysis is vital since the Medieval dialogue about the nature of Universals is complex, sometimes excruciatingly difficult, and an introduction which lays out the basic premises and questions is the first step of comprehension!Also, the introduction briefly summarizes each text EXCERPT and information on each author present in the volume.This volume includes excerpts from from Porhyry's 'Isagoge,' Boethius' 'Second Commentary on Porphyry's Isagoge,' Peter Abelard's Glosses on Porphyry in his 'Logica 'ingredientibus,'' John Duns Scotus 'Ordinatio,' and William of Ockham's 'Ordinatio'.These excerpts trace in chronological order the main philosophers involved with the question of Universals starting with the questions first posed by Porphyry.

The introduction and excerpts form an amazing (yet still somewhat difficult) text for a student interested in Medieval Philosophy.However, the volume's wonderful index of the main terms is a great tool for easy clarification and reference.This is simply an invaluable resource and a great starting point for the study of the Medieval problem of Universals! ... Read more

Product Description
Boethius (c.480-c.525/6), though a Christian, worked in the tradition of the Neoplatonic schools, with their strong interest in Aristotelian logic and Platonic metaphysics. He is best known for his Consolation of Philosophy, which he wrote in prison awaiting execution. His works also include a long series of logical translations, commentaries and monographs and some short but densely-argued theological treatises, all of which were enormously influential on medieval thought. But Boethius was more than a writer who passed on important ancient ideas to the Middle Ages. The essays here by leading specialists, which cover all the main aspects of his writing and its influence, show that he was a distinctive thinker, whose arguments repay careful analysis and who used his literary talents in conjunction with his philosophical abilities to present a complex view of the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

New Developments in Boethian Studies
The Cambridge 'Boethius' is the result of the latest developments in Boethian studies, conducted by the foremost scholars in that respective field.The scope of the work encapsulates the entire man and phenomenon: to which the work is divided into two parts, the pre-Consolation Boethius and the 'Consolation' of Boethius, per se.Of course, it should be stressed that the study of the 'Consolation' is only a part and not the whole of this work.A chapter is given to Boethius' life and late antique philosophy, three chapters to Boethius the logician, three to Boethius the theologian, two chapters deal with the most poignant philosophical topics in the 'Consolation,' while one is given to literary interpretation of the text.The final two chapters deal with the transmission (philosophical and literary) of Boethius in the Middle Ages, as it was understood by his commentators, critics and admirers.In effect, the Cambridge 'Boethius' will have an enormous impact upon readers not looking for an introduction, but for a thorough, genuinely academic survey of the Roman West's last true heir. ... Read more

Product Description
Music Theory from Boethius to Zarlino is a companion volume to Music Theory from Zarlino to Schenker: A Bibliography and Guide by David Damschroder and David Russell Williams (Harmonologia, No. 4, Pendragon Press). Like the previous work, the goal of the volume is to create a logically organized introduction to the major theorists of the time and a thorough review of the scholarly work about these writers. While specialists in the history of music theory may find new materials in these pages, this work is primarily designed for the non-specialist as a practical and basic introduction to the treatises, people, and scholarship of Medieval and Renaissance theory. See also PPNo 386, Music Theory from Zarlino to Schenker. The two major sections of the work are the Dictionary of Theorists which includes individual chapters for approximately one hundred and twenty authors, arranged alphabetically and the Literature Supplement which lists articles, books and dissertations which pertain to several Dictionary of Theorists authors and which, therefore, would be inappropriately placed in any one of those chapters. The work begins with a listing of Abbreviations listing short entries used throughout the book for periodicals, series, congress reports, and Festschriften. The work concludes with Indices referencing names, titles, topics, and an approximate chronology of the works cited. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A wonderful resource for finding ancient materials about music and the study of music
This wonderful volume complements the earlier (and just as wonderful) "Music Theory from Zarlino to Schenker and follows the same format.Both are wonderful introductions to materials on music theory, their subject matter, and a couple of paragraphs about what we know about the people who wrote them.What I have quite enjoyed about both volumes is the way the authors have made the material accessible to all interested parties.Some of these materials may seem obscure to those not studying musicology or music theory, especially the ancient texts discussed here.With Boethius, we are back into the fifth and sixth centuries and discussing the core ideas of musical proportions and their place in the study of the liberal arts.His writings had a profound impact on the way Western education was formed during the middle ages and still has a residual impact today.

This is a rich resource with many helps and useful collections of information.It begins by listing the abbreviations of periodicals, special series, and so forth.There are many abbreviations to know and since you can't really know them all, this list is very helpful to anyone doing research in this area (granted specialists will know those relevant to their field already).The authors also provide sections on reports of musicological congress reports and important festschrifts (celebratory collections of articles in honor of a person or event).These are all from the 20th Century and most after the Second World War.It seems that these gatherings of scholars for the purpose of presenting papers around a unifying subject and publishing the papers as a collection is a recent invention.

The bulk of the book is a "Dictionary of Theorists".These articles provide the name, birth year, a short article about the theorist and his work, important editions of those works, and literature about the theorist and his work.There is also a literature supplement listing other works with a more general application.The Topical Index lets you find a subject such as modes, notation, and solmizattion and the theorists related to those subjects.The chronological index starts Augustine of Hippo circ 387 AD and lists the theorists and works of any given year and takes the reader through Hoffman of 1605.So, the title is not a strict delineation of the time covered, but gives the idea of the range of the book by using the most famous names.

Next is a title index, which helps tremendously if you know a work and are trying to find its author. The following name index helps you find not only the theorist, but also the pages in which he or she is mentioned in this book.

I think this book is very cool, very useful, and very well done.No, I don't think it is a book for everyone, but I think it is for people who don't suspect it is for them.Given the importance of the musical arts, anyone interested in ancient history and culture would benefit from consulting this great book.

I also think that if most serious musicians would think about it for a minute and get past their residual anxiety from their music theory courses, they would realize that they could get some benefit from reading a bit more deeply about their art.This resource could help them find works and material that could be or true interest and great use to them.Really!

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI
Here is the companion volume:
Music Theory from Zarlino to Schenker: A Bibliography and Guide (Harmonologia) ... Read more

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This book offers a brief, accessible introduction to the thought of Boethius. After a survey of Boethius's life and work, Marenbon explicates his theological method, and devotes separate chapters to his arguments about good and evil, fortune, fate and free will, and the problem of divine foreknowledge. Marenbon also traces Boethius's influence on the work of such thinkers as Aquinas and Duns Scotus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Solid introduction to Boethius
Unfortunately until fairly recently, medieval philosophy was a fairly neglected and obscure area of philosophy, regarded by many as an era of stagnation and decadence in philosophy, brought on mainly by its servile obedience to the beliefs of medieval religion.However, this series of books helps show that medievals seriously engaged in philosophical reflection on many issues philosophers still debate today.

This volume of the series examines Boethius, a fifth century Latin Philosopher who was executed for treason.It offers a valuable overview of Boethius's philosophy, which is often under-rated in its depth and seriousness, and examines Boethius's attempts to examine logical questions and puzzles and his vast projects aiming to bring Aristotle and Plato back to Philosophy's central concerns, and his work on theology, God, and providence.

This volume will be useful to any student of medieval philosophy or of Boethius.

Why Boethius?
You know I was watching a cartoon the other day with a bear in it.The bear looked all jolly and nice.Then I was thinking, "Why am I reading Boethius?"Some kid is watching this same cartoon and one day while in the woods a black bear is going to come up to him and the kid's going to think, "look it's a jolly nice bear."Then the next thing you know the bear is going to maul the kid and his mother is going to be heart broken.And you know who is to blame?Society, that's who.So I can go on reading Boethius or I can save some kid from the ravages of a wild bear.Why Boethius?

A Comprehensive Study of Boethius
For anyone interested in the thought of the Late Antique world, or in the intellectual milieu of the early and high Middle Ages, then this book will be of inestimable value.John Marenbon's Boethius (Great Medieval Thinkers) is a storehouse for the main principles of Boethius' Greek Neo-Platonism, Christian Theology, Aristotelian Logic, and Latin literature, all of which left there mark upon later thinkers.In this work, Marenbon begins by reconstructing the historical aspects of Boethius' life, such as his rise to being elected Consul up to his tradgic fall on account of the trumped-up charges of treason placed upon him by the Gothic regime.Also in this historical sketch, Marenbon vindicates the Christianity of Boethius while detailing the intricacies of his famous text the Consolation, which makes no outward mention of any alliance with Christianity.Also detailedsummaries are given as to his musical, astrological, mathematical, logical, theological, and philosophical works.Of these, particular attention is paid to Boethius' logical and philosophical writings, for the obvious reason that this is what consumed most of his time.Despite this, Marenbon's is a study which is most comprehensive and well-rounded, one that is quite similar to Henry Chadwick's in scope and worth.Overall, it should be said that this work should be used foremost as a model for the interpretation of the Consolation, in respect of the insights and suggestions he throws upon the text.Also the reader will be impressed with a more than satisfactory understanding of Boethius' logical, theological and philosophical systems as well.Marenbon's 'Boethius' is highly recommended. ... Read more