The Consolation of Philosophy

$14.00

This audiobook provides access to a foundational work of Western philosophy, supporting studies in history, literature, and ethics.

The Consolation of Philosophy is one of the key works in the rich tradition of Western philosophy, partly because of the circumstances in which it was written.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (c480-c524) was of aristocratic Roman birth and became consul and then master of offices at Ravenna, one of the highest posts under the Ostrogothic Roman ruler Theodoric. But Boethius was unjustly charged with treason in 524, and this led to house arrest, then torture and execution.

It was while he was imprisoned and anticipating his fate that he wrote The Consolation of Philosophy, a remarkably personal document in which, through alternating passages of poetry and prose, he considers the lot of humankind.

He draws on classical Greek and Roman philosophy, emphasising the fragility of worldly position and that true happiness can only come from within. As a practising Christian, he placed this within a Christian perspective. The work is all the more effective because it is presented as a dialogue between the despairing Boethius and a figure known as Lady Philosophy, who constantly questions, guides and supports the former statesman, leading him to a place of understanding and equilibrium.

The work has proved a continuing influence through the ages, having been translated by figures as disparate as Alfred the Great, Chaucer, Elizabeth I and many others. The translation by H. R. James has been revised and modernised for this recording.

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The Consolation of Philosophy

$5.99

This classic philosophical work enhances a student’s understanding of Western thought, history, and early Christian philosophy.

The 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 of the Classical Period. The Consolation of Philosophy was written during a one-year imprisonment Boethius served while awaiting trial – and eventual horrific execution – for the 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. It has been described as “by far the most interesting example of prison literature the world has ever seen.”

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Weight 0.141 lbs
Dimensions 15.2 × 0.6 × 22.9 in

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The Consolation of Philosophy

$10.24

This audiobook provides access to a classic work of philosophy, supporting studies in literature, history, and humanities.

Charged with treason under Theodoric the Great in sixth-century Rome, Boethius served one year’s imprisonment, awaiting trial and eventual execution. During this time, he wrote The Consolation of Philosophy, which would go on to be one of the most popular philosophical works of all time, contributing much to medieval thought and influencing the likes of Dante and Chaucer, as well as Renaissance writers, such as Milton and Shakespeare.

Grieving over the injustice of his imprisonment, Boethius meditates on the nature of God, the fickleness of fortune, the idea of free will, why bad things happen to good people, and the nature of happiness. His arguments take the form of a rich and exquisite dialogue between himself and Lady Philosophy and make many allusions to classical Greek and Roman literature in an attempt to create a coherent philosophy that supports his world view. It has been declared a “golden volume not unworthy of the leisure of Plato or Tully” (Edward Gibbon).

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The Consolation of Philosophy

$7.52

This classic text offers students insight into Western philosophy, history, and the development of reason-based thought.

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.

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Weight 0.181 lbs
Dimensions 13.2 × 0.9 × 20.4 in

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The Consolation of Philosophy

$17.98

This classic text provides a cornerstone of medieval philosophy and literature, supporting studies in history and the humanities.

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.

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Weight 0.181 lbs
Dimensions 10.8 × 1.9 × 17.8 in

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The Consolation of Philosophy

$9.99

This classic philosophical text supports studies in history, philosophy, and literature for advanced students.

The Consolation of Philosophy, written by Boethius in the sixth century, is a timeless classic that has been read for centuries. This book is a philosophical meditation on the nature of happiness and suffering by one of the brightest minds of the early medieval period. Boethius wrote in a mixture of Latin and Greek and his work was influential in the development of medieval and Renaissance thought. The Consolation of Philosophy is divided into five books and it is a dialogue between Boethius and the personified figure of Philosophy. In the dialogue, Boethius questions why bad things happen to good people and why some people have more than their fair share of suffering. The figure of Philosophy provides answers to these questions and helps Boethius to understand the nature of suffering in the context of a greater purpose. Throughout the book, Boethius grapples with the concept of free will and whether his own suffering is predetermined by fate. He also examines the idea of divine justice, and the idea that suffering can be a source of growth and learning. Boethius ultimately concludes that happiness is a result of being in harmony with God and that the soul can find peace even in the midst of suffering. The Consolation of Philosophy is an inspirational and thought-provoking work that has inspired generations of readers. Its timeless wisdom and philosophical insight make it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to understand the nature of suffering and to find solace in the face of adversity. Boethius’ words are as relevant today as they were in the sixth century and The Consolation of Philosophy is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy and the pursuit of happiness. This edition is based on the translation by H.R. James (1862-1931), previously published in 1897. Boethius (c. 480-524/525 CE) was a Roman senator and philosopher of the late fifth and early sixth centuries CE. He was born in Rome and served as a consul under the Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great. During his time in office, Boethius wrote numerous works on philosophy and theology, the most famous of which is The Consolation of Philosophy. This work is a dialogue between Boethius and the personified figure of Philosophy, in which Boethius grapples with the nature of suffering and finds solace in his belief in divine justice. Boethius was also a prolific translator of Greek works into Latin and his translations played an important role in preserving classical knowledge during the Middle Ages. He was executed in 524 or 525 CE and his works have been studied and admired for centuries.

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Dimensions 15.2 × 0.7 × 22.9 in

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