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alanffm's review against another edition
3.0
Boethius is often called the last classical philosopher and the first medieval one namely because of this work.
The Consolation of Philosophy acts as a bridge between classical learning and Christian religious thought by applying and interpreting classical concepts of virtue, rationality, justice, and chance towards justifying the existence of God and divine justice. While this is what largely makes Boethius famous, it is his flirtation with theology that I find less appealing.
Nevertheless, Boethius' core arguments are fundamentally sound and useful-- regardless of one's religious beliefs or interest in theology.
Here are some great lessons I learned from this short text:
1) When confronted with death, art won't help you: only philosophy will.
2) Fortune owes nothing to nobody so don't get mad when your fortune runs out: think about how fortunate you've been your whole life instead of focusing on your present misfortune.
3) The material things you pursue end up owning you and weighing you down: it's much harder to grow as a person when your emotions and actions are driven by the pursuit of physical goods or status. The less you have the better.
4) A Christian worldview separates human knowledge and divine knowledge: this is how we have free choice but God still knows everything that will happen. It's almost as if Boethius is saying rationality exists on two different planes, a linear plane of time (humans) and an eternal fully encompassing plane (God).
The Consolation of Philosophy acts as a bridge between classical learning and Christian religious thought by applying and interpreting classical concepts of virtue, rationality, justice, and chance towards justifying the existence of God and divine justice. While this is what largely makes Boethius famous, it is his flirtation with theology that I find less appealing.
Nevertheless, Boethius' core arguments are fundamentally sound and useful-- regardless of one's religious beliefs or interest in theology.
Here are some great lessons I learned from this short text:
1) When confronted with death, art won't help you: only philosophy will.
2) Fortune owes nothing to nobody so don't get mad when your fortune runs out: think about how fortunate you've been your whole life instead of focusing on your present misfortune.
3) The material things you pursue end up owning you and weighing you down: it's much harder to grow as a person when your emotions and actions are driven by the pursuit of physical goods or status. The less you have the better.
4) A Christian worldview separates human knowledge and divine knowledge: this is how we have free choice but God still knows everything that will happen. It's almost as if Boethius is saying rationality exists on two different planes, a linear plane of time (humans) and an eternal fully encompassing plane (God).
paolobooks's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
ajmaese's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most excellent books I've read (I'd only read selections beforehand). There are a few books that I read yearly, and this is now added to them.
john87's review against another edition
3.0
Meanderings and musings on the profound and the profane.
And that's about all of the philosophy I can muster!
As such I feel that The Consolation of Philosophy is better left to academics or those already well versed in the field. I prefer the elegance (and simplicity) of more modern writers; fully realizing that this is a fault of my own rather than the dialectic from Boethius.
And that's about all of the philosophy I can muster!
As such I feel that The Consolation of Philosophy is better left to academics or those already well versed in the field. I prefer the elegance (and simplicity) of more modern writers; fully realizing that this is a fault of my own rather than the dialectic from Boethius.
tinadots's review against another edition
5.0
This should be required reading at some point. It elucidated ideas I've contemplated and grappled with...felt both familiar and provocative.
bookishlybeauty's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
jennamcclendon's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
4.5
SOME GOOD (no pun intended) POINTS. I actually really enjoyed reading philosophy??? The half star is only really because it was confusing at times but that’s to be expected, I just got frustrated.