Overview of the ConsolationThe Consolation was written while Boethius was in prison awaiting execution. The work is presented in the form of a dialogue with Philosophy, which explains to him the true nature of happiness, why the wicked seem to prosper while the good suffer, and many other difficulties. In the end, Boethius clearly sees the goodness and sovereignty of God. (Section numbers follow those in Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, New York: Penguin, 1969.) Things to think about as you read1. Boethius constructs a harmony between classical and Christian ideas about God and human nature, showing partly the unity of truth and philosophy (classical and Christian wisdom are so similar) and partly the support that classical philosophers provide for truth Christian.2. Likewise, Boethius carefully bases his argument on reason rather than Christian revelation, to show firstly how reasonable the basis of Christianity ultimately is and secondly to show that there are rational and intellectually satisfying responses to the sufferings of the human condition . (Perhaps this work could be considered as a “pre-evangelization” for intellectuals.)3. Boethius is substantially based on Platonic and Neoplatonic thought. If you are familiar with Plato's ideas, look for echoes of them here.Notes and QuestionsBook IPoetry 1 to Prose 5: Boethius' Complaint to Philosophy. He tells her of his unhappiness.Poem 1. The poem reflects Boethius' lament: a desperate, self-centered grief, because fortune has turned against him.Prose 1. Boethius says that fun is no medicine for pain. Is he right or wrong? Note also the surprising reversal of our typical mentality, influenced by Romantic era thinking in its c...... middle of paper ......philosophy says that "good men have power but evil men are helpless"? Prose 3, Poetry 3. What is the punishment that afflicts evil? Prose 4. Philosophy holds that letting evil succeed makes them unhappier than if they failed in their goals. Why? Prose 6.. How does philosophy explain the apparent prosperity of the wicked? Prose 7. Philosophy ultimately tells Boethius, in effect, "Stop being a good-for-nothing; life should be hard, for your own good." Book IV. How satisfactory is Boethius' explanation of the problem of evil?Book VProsa 1. Does Chance Exist?Prose 3-Prose 6. Boethius here raises another common and important issue in theology, which is the question of free will, predestination and of the omniscience (include foreknowledge) of God. How does philosophy resolve the conflict between free will and foreknowledge of God??