The Consolation of Philosophy · Chapter
Song XI: Reminiscence explained
Boethius reflects on the Platonic doctrine of recollection, asserting that truth is discovered not through external senses but by inward contemplation.
What happens
Boethius reflects on the Platonic doctrine of recollection, asserting that truth is discovered not through external senses but by inward contemplation. He argues that the soul retains innate sparks of truth, obscured by bodily forgetfulness, and that learning is merely remembering what the soul already knows.
Themes in this chapter
Philosophy as Healing
The inward search for truth is presented as a remedy against error and forgetfulness.
True Happiness
Possessing the soul's true treasure is linked to the pursuit of truth and inner clarity.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Who truth pursues, who from false ways His heedful steps would keep, By inward light must search within In meditation deep;”
Anyone seeking truth and avoiding falsehood must look inward through deep meditation.
Boethius emphasizes introspection as the path to truth.
“All outward bent he must repress His soul’s true treasure to possess.”
One must suppress external distractions to access the soul's inner riches.
The poem contrasts outward focus with inner spiritual wealth.
“Else how could ye the answer due Untaught to questions give, Were’t not that deep within the soul Truth’s secret sparks do live?”
How else could you answer questions without being taught, unless truth's sparks already live deep within the soul?
Boethius uses the Socratic method to argue for innate knowledge.
“If Plato’s teaching erreth not, We learn but that we have forgot.”
If Plato is correct, learning is simply remembering what we have forgotten.
Direct reference to Plato's theory of recollection.