When you’re in prison waiting to die, what can philosophy do for you?
Michael and Caleb read Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy - a book written by a Roman senator facing execution.
It’s philosophy tested at the breaking point. The book works through arguments for why you shouldn’t be angry at fortune. Some are practical - don’t complain about losing externals when externals always change. Others cut deeper - fortune can’t touch what matters most, which is yourself.
The interesting part is watching someone work through these arguments for real, not as theory.
(03:20) Historical context and influences
(09:00) Book structure and Lady Philosophy
(13:50) Fortune hasn’t changed, it was always fickle
(16:40) You chose to value externals, don’t complain when they shift
(18:40) Fortune gave you everything, can’t be mad it took it back
(21:30) Don’t overweight current misfortune
(29:30) Fortune can’t affect what matters - yourself
(34:40) External riches aren’t valuable anyway
(38:00) External honors aren’t valuable anyway
(42:10) Preview of Book Three - defining the good
(45:30) Final thoughts on the book
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Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations:
