The Consolation of Philosophy (Norton Critical Editions) » (New Edition)

Douglas C. Langston is Professor of Philosophy and Religion at New College of Florida. He is the author of God’s Willing Knowledge: The Influence of Scotus’ Analysis of Omniscience and Conscience and Other Virtues: From Bonaventure to MacIntyre. His articles have appeared in The Journal of Religious Studies, Franciscan Studies, Medieval Philosophy and Theology, and The Southern Journal of Philosophy, among others.

One of the most influential texts to come out of the late Middle Ages.

Library Journal

Slavitt, a poet and translator of over 80 works of fiction, poetry, and drama, presents a new translation of this philosophical classic directed at general readers. Written under the threat of Boethius's impending execution, the work comes on the cusp between the classical and medieval worlds. In alternating prose and verse, Boethius spins a dialog concerning the harsh vicissitudes of fortune and the lasting happiness provided by the life of the mind. Slavitt's prose translation is accessible and makes frequent use of colloquialisms. His poetic translations-too often paraphrased in earlier editions-are not weighed down with attempted fidelities to ancient meter and use contemporary forms to evoke the gravity and grace of the original. While the book does include a brief biographical and textual introduction by Seth Lerer (English & comparative literature, Stanford Univ.), its lack of textual apparatus makes this edition less than ideal for students. It does succeed, however, as a springboard for personal reflection and a source of literate pleasure. Recommended for large public and academic libraries.-Steven Chabot, Univ. of Toronto

Preface vi

Introduction vii

Translator's Preface xix

The Text of The Consolation of Philosophy 1

Contexts 95

From The Gorgias Plato 97

From The Timaeus Plato 107

From The Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle 114

From On Free Choice of the Will Saint Augustine 123

Criticism 139

Introduction to Boethius: His Life, Thought, and Influence Henry Chadwick 141

The Predicate Nelson Pike 151

Theodoric vs. Boethius: Vindication and Apology William Bark 159

The Fall of Boethius and the Fiction of the Consolation Philosophiae Edmund Reiss 175

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius John Marenbon 188

Boethius: A Chronology 199

Selected Bibliography 201

Index 202