The Consolation of Philosophy occupies a central place in the history
of Western thought. Its author, Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (ca.
476-526 c.e.), was a Roman philosopher, scholar, and statesman who wrote
The Consolation of Philosophy while in a remote prison awaiting his
execution on dubious political charges. The text of this Norton Critical
Edition is based on the translation by Richard H. Green. It is
accompanied by the editor's preface and full-scale introduction to the
work, the translator's preface, and explanatory annotations.
"Contexts" reprints selections from the texts that Boethius drew upon
for his own work. These include excerpts from two of Plato's Dialogues
(Gorgias and Timaeus), from Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, and from
Augustine's On Free Choice of the Will.
"Criticism" collects five wide-ranging essays by major scholars of
Boethius. Henry Chadwick presents a general introduction to Boethius's
life and works. Nelson Pike presents a clear and insightful
interpretation of what Boethius means by writing that God is eternal
(timeless). The final three essays--by William Bark, Edmund Reiss, and
John Marenbon--all depart from traditional readings of The Consolation
of Philosophy in significant ways and are sure to stimulate classroom
discussion.
A Chronology of Boethius's life and work and a Selected Bibliography are
also included.