The Consolation of Philosophy · Chapter
VI explained
Philosophy questions Boethius to diagnose his sickness, discovering that he has forgotten his own nature and the end of existence, though he still believes the world is governed by divine reason rather than chance.
What happens
Philosophy questions Boethius to diagnose his sickness, discovering that he has forgotten his own nature and the end of existence, though he still believes the world is governed by divine reason rather than chance. She resolves to cure him with gentle remedies.
Themes in this chapter
Providence and Fate
Boethius affirms that the world is governed by divine reason, not random chance, and Philosophy uses this belief as the foundation for his recovery.
Philosophy as Healing
Philosophy diagnoses Boethius' sickness as forgetfulness of self and the end of existence, and begins a course of gentle questioning to restore his understanding.
Characters to notice
- Boethius
Admits he has forgotten the end of existence and his own nature, but still holds that God governs the world.
- Philosophy
Questions Boethius to diagnose his sickness, identifies his forgetfulness of self and the end of existence as the cause, and promises a gentle cure.
Key passages
“This world of ours—thinkest thou it is governed haphazard and fortuitously, or believest thou that there is in it any rational guidance?”
Do you think the world is ruled by chance or by reason?
Philosophy begins her diagnosis by testing Boethius' belief in divine governance.
“It is because forgetfulness of thyself hath bewildered thy mind that thou hast bewailed thee as an exile, as one stripped of the blessings that were his; it is because thou knowest not the end of existence that thou deemest abominable and wicked men to be happy and powerful; while, because thou hast forgotten by what means the earth is governed, thou deemest that fortune’s changes ebb and flow without the restraint of a guiding hand.”
Your sickness comes from forgetting who you are, the purpose of life, and how the world is governed.
Philosophy identifies the threefold cause of Boethius' despair.