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Boethius (Great Medieval Thinkers)

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For anyone interested in the thought of the Late Antique world, or in the intellectual milieu of the early and high Middle Ages, then this book will be of inestimable value. John Marenbon's Boethius (Great Medieval Thinkers) is a storehouse for the main principles of Boethius' Greek Neo-Platonism, Christian Theology, Aristotelian Logic, and Latin literature, all of which left there mark upon later thinkers. In this work, Marenbon begins by reconstructing the historical aspects of Boethius' life, such as his rise to being elected Consul up to his tradgic fall on account of the trumped-up charges of treason placed upon him by the Gothic regime. Also in this historical sketch, Marenbon vindicates the Christianity of Boethius while detailing the intricacies of his famous text the Consolation, which makes no outward mention of any alliance with Christianity. Also detailed summaries are given as to his musical, astrological, mathematical, logical, theological, and philosophical works. Of these, particular attention is paid to Boethius' logical and philosophical writings, for the obvious reason that this is what consumed most of his time. Despite this, Marenbon's is a study which is most comprehensive and well-rounded, one that is quite similar to Henry Chadwick's in scope and worth. Overall, it should be said that this work should be used foremost as a model for the interpretation of the Consolation, in respect of the insights and suggestions he throws upon the text. Also the reader will be impressed with a more than satisfactory understanding of Boethius' logical, theological and philosophical systems as well. Marenbon's 'Boethius' is highly recommended.

Unfortunately until fairly recently, medieval philosophy was a fairly neglected and obscure area of philosophy, regarded by many as an era of stagnation and decadence in philosophy, brought on mainly by its servile obedience to the beliefs of medieval religion. However, this series of books helps show that medievals seriously engaged in philosophical reflection on many issues philosophers still debate today.

This volume of the series examines Boethius, a fifth century Latin Philosopher who was executed for treason. It offers a valuable overview of Boethius's philosophy, which is often under-rated in its depth and seriousness, and examines Boethius's attempts to examine logical questions and puzzles and his vast projects aiming to bring Aristotle and Plato back to Philosophy's central concerns, and his work on theology, God, and providence.

This volume will be useful to any student of medieval philosophy or of Boethius.

You know I was watching a cartoon the other day with a bear in it. The bear looked all jolly and nice. Then I was thinking, "Why am I reading Boethius?" Some kid is watching this same cartoon and one day while in the woods a black bear is going to come up to him and the kid's going to think, "look it's a jolly nice bear." Then the next thing you know the bear is going to maul the kid and his mother is going to be heart broken. And you know who is to blame? Society, that's who. So I can go on reading Boethius or I can save some kid from the ravages of a wild bear. Why Boethius?