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Bookshelf Recommendation: The Consolation of Philosophy

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FOR YOUR BOOKSHELF | Boethius’s The Consolation of Philosophy 
(Oxford World Classics, 2008) 

When we think of things that provide consolation, we generally think of a close confidant, our faith, the comfort lurking beneath the lid of a pint of our favorite ice cream, the lyrics of our favorite song, or the euphoric feeling after a tough workout (although some of us may be seeking consolation because of the gym, rather than in it). Regardless of what it may be, we all have something we turn to—for better or worse—to provide comfort during times of despair. I’d wager though, that for nearly all of us, philosophy does not rank high on this list. It is for this reason I highly recommend Boethius’s The Consolation of Philosophy. 

 Born near the end of the Western Roman Empire, Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (Around 480 A.D.-524 A.D.) was a vital figure in the preservation and translation of ancient philosophy to the Middle Ages. In his excellent book, The Cave and the Light, Arthur Herman explains, “Contemporaries viewed him with awe as the last Roman. We can think of him as the first medieval man, and the man who reintroduced Aristotle to the West.” He served as consul in 510 and his two sons shared the consulship in 522. Around this time, Boethius was selected to serve as “Master of Offices,” a key advisory role, to the Ostrogoth King Theodoric. It is hard to imagine why one of the greatest intellectuals of his age, serving in a key political position, would find himself in need of consolation, but his fortune would soon change.
 
After nearly 20 years of service, Theodoric became suspicious of Boethius, accused him of treason, had him arrested, imprisoned, tried, convicted, tortured, and finally bludgeoned to death. While Boethius was imprisoned, well aware of his impending death, he composed The Consolation of Philosophy. What consolation could philosophy have given a man in this situation—and more importantly—could it do the same for us?  

 I have found this to be a profoundly impactful book. Boethius’s argument is rooted in the thought of Plato and Aristotle and is made in a clear, concise, and poetic manner. In the work, Lady Philosophy comes to him in his cell to guide him from despair to truth and understanding, and the text mainly consists of their dialogue. I found myself most compelled by the argument that all fortune is good. It either "rewards, disciplines, amends, or punishes, and so is either useful or just.” When faced with adversity, we should not despair, but rather recognize it as an opportunity to exercise our virtue, for virtue does not yield to adversity. There are lots of other great topics throughout, including examinations of fortune, vice, virtue, true happiness, providence, and free will.


 So, the next time you’re in need of consolation, consider picking up a copy of this great book, rather than the usual spoonful of ice cream.  





Recommended by Connor Tracy, Coordinator of the McConnell Center's Strategic Broadening Seminar for the U.S. Army at the University of Louisville.



Views expressed here are those of the author and not necessarily those of the McConnell Center. This recommendation is part of the McConnell Center's Meditations publication series for soldiers and students in our Strategic Broadening Seminar. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter.
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