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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
reflective
medium-paced
By far the biggest bestseller of the Middle Ages, influential on Thomas Aquinas, Dante, and CS Lewis to name a couple. Fun read. Written by a Christian author, but you'd never be able to tell from the text, as it engages with classical philosophy, not theology. Written as comfort and solace while (if we believe his self reporting) imprisoned and exiled for a crime which he did not commit and would be torturously executed for, this is a conversation with Lady Philosophy. Not all of the arguments are convincing to me, but interesting regardless.
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
The book approaches the knowledge of philosophy and morality in a miserable situation of the author who was betrayed by the people he wants to protect and put into jail by the wicked men. But is it really miserable? The lady of philosophy, the personification of the fullest possible achievement of human reason, appears and “cure” Boethius with her role as a psychiatrist. The conversation between Lady Philosophy and Boethius will reveal us the true origin of happiness and how to pursue happiness without getting deceived by false ideas. Lady Philosophy helps the author to change his mind, and also our minds, to look at his situation in the different perspective, and provides a mental method to help us encounter with difficulties in life. It is not an easy book to read, especially the book 5 which discuss pure philosophical problems, but it will help you to practice and nurture your mind so that you can choose a correct path for your life.
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
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Some bits have not held up well or have obvious fallacies, but there's still plenty of pearls here and there. Works better as motivational psychology than as philosophy per se. Still, I enjoyed it.
A highly influential work of the early 6th century, Boethius’ “The Consolation of Philosophy” digs into complex issues, such as the definition of happiness, the powerlessness of evil men, and the question of free will.
Boethius wields the Socratic method clumsily, but sometimes the proper note is struck nevertheless. I particularly enjoyed his treatment of fortune, and the right perception of such.
Boethius wields the Socratic method clumsily, but sometimes the proper note is struck nevertheless. I particularly enjoyed his treatment of fortune, and the right perception of such.
Jan/Feb 2024
I read this for the second time, and this time, I noticed new things that I recognized from Lewis.
I read this for the second time, and this time, I noticed new things that I recognized from Lewis.