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Introduction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 May 2024

Michael Wiitala
Affiliation:
Cleveland State University
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Summary

Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy was one of the most influential texts in medieval Europe. Yet it does not receive enough attention in contemporary scholarship on medieval philosophy. This is in part explained by the content and literary form of the Consolation. The direct influence of Plato and late antique Neoplatonism, the dialogue form, the alternating prose and poetry sections, and the wealth of references to classical literature and mythology contrast sharply with the sort of texts most contemporary scholars of medieval philosophy focus on. The essays in this volume tackle these interpretive challenges and reveal some of the rich philosophical insights the Consolation offers. Chapters 1–3 directly address its literary features and their philosophical significance. Chapters 4 and 5 consider the relationship between the Consolation and Boethius’ Christianity. Chapters 6–8 offer three different takes on the philosophy of selfhood, or philosophical anthropology, so central to the Consolation. Chapters 9–13 deal with the more standard metaphysical and theological issues, such as Boethius’ accounts of goodness, being, God, time, eternity, and human freedom.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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  • Introduction
  • Edited by Michael Wiitala, Cleveland State University
  • Book: Boethius’ ‘Consolation of Philosophy’
  • Online publication: 23 May 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009288279.001
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  • Introduction
  • Edited by Michael Wiitala, Cleveland State University
  • Book: Boethius’ ‘Consolation of Philosophy’
  • Online publication: 23 May 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009288279.001
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Introduction
  • Edited by Michael Wiitala, Cleveland State University
  • Book: Boethius’ ‘Consolation of Philosophy’
  • Online publication: 23 May 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009288279.001
Available formats
×