BOETHIUS
He asks how reason and virtue can establish a center of judgment that changing Fortune and external conditions cannot wholly take away.
C. 475–526Neoplatonism · Classical philosophyRome · Italy
Other names and spellings
보에티우스 · 보이티우스 · 보에시우스 · Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius
Core ideas
FORTUNEHAPPINESSSELF-MASTERYVIRTUECONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY
Works & sources
The Consolation of Philosophy, Book II, Prose IV, H. R. James translation (1897)
BOETHIUS, a first reading
Boethius reflected on fortune and happiness during his imprisonment and political downfall.
Fortune and happiness: what does it mean?
In The Consolation of Philosophy, status and possessions bestowed by Fortune can disappear. Making them the whole basis of happiness leaves its center unstable; this leads into the work's larger inquiry into reason and the true good.
Explore the thinker and concept ↗