The Consolation Of Philosophy Boethius Analysis
Boethius’ View on Mortal Goods
In The Consolation of Philosophy, the topic of human happiness is approached from the viewpoint of the early Christian writer Boethius. In his work, he constructs a narrative which imagines a Lady Philosophy incarnate come to help him rediscover what he has lost sight of – ultimate human purpose and how to achieve this. Boethius the author speaks to us through this character of Lady Philosophy, rather than his own stand-in in the proses and poems which make up the book. Because the Boethius of the narrative has lost his way, Philosophy eases him back into the habit by explaining what happiness is not before she can explain what it is. It is in this section that Lady Philosophy, and therefore Boethius, asserts …show more content…
As someone who has struggled with both anxiety and depression, the need to regulate my state of mind is very real. In this, the stoic approach to happiness – not to allow oneself to be trapped by the highs and lows of life – makes perfect sense to me. However, Boethius’ argument hinges on the concept that the ultimate goal of human existence is perfect happiness, which I do ultimately take issue with. I agree with his arguments that will arise in book four, largely consisting of how the ultimate good is God, that because good causes happiness, then happiness is God. However, I do not believe that God has necessarily called upon us to be perfectly happy without disturbance. In the Christian narrative, Christ suffered physically and presumably mentally to save humanity from its sins. Christians are generally said to be called upon to take up suffering in Christ’s image to help their fellow man. Though we cannot allow ourselves self-pity and gluttony in mortal fortune, it is unjust both to ourselves and to others to expect that we do not feel compassionate sadness or joy at the failures or successes of our neighbors, friends, or any others we are called upon to help. In short, if our ultimate goal is truly contented happiness, I agree with Boethius’ conclusions, but I believe that goal may need some further
In The Consolation of Philosophy, the topic of human happiness is approached from the viewpoint of the early Christian writer Boethius. In his work, he constructs a narrative which imagines a Lady Philosophy incarnate come to help him rediscover what he has lost sight of – ultimate human purpose and how to achieve this. Boethius the author speaks to us through this character of Lady Philosophy, rather than his own stand-in in the proses and poems which make up the book. Because the Boethius of the narrative has lost his way, Philosophy eases him back into the habit by explaining what happiness is not before she can explain what it is. It is in this section that Lady Philosophy, and therefore Boethius, asserts …show more content…
As someone who has struggled with both anxiety and depression, the need to regulate my state of mind is very real. In this, the stoic approach to happiness – not to allow oneself to be trapped by the highs and lows of life – makes perfect sense to me. However, Boethius’ argument hinges on the concept that the ultimate goal of human existence is perfect happiness, which I do ultimately take issue with. I agree with his arguments that will arise in book four, largely consisting of how the ultimate good is God, that because good causes happiness, then happiness is God. However, I do not believe that God has necessarily called upon us to be perfectly happy without disturbance. In the Christian narrative, Christ suffered physically and presumably mentally to save humanity from its sins. Christians are generally said to be called upon to take up suffering in Christ’s image to help their fellow man. Though we cannot allow ourselves self-pity and gluttony in mortal fortune, it is unjust both to ourselves and to others to expect that we do not feel compassionate sadness or joy at the failures or successes of our neighbors, friends, or any others we are called upon to help. In short, if our ultimate goal is truly contented happiness, I agree with Boethius’ conclusions, but I believe that goal may need some further