In this episode, Wyatt Graham and Matthew Hoskin delve into Boethius's 'Consolation of Philosophy,' focusing on the nature of goodness and evil, the consequences of pursuing virtue versus vice, and the transformative power of choices. They explore the concepts of providence and fate, the strength of goodness compared to the weakness of evil, and how adversity serves as a test of virtue. The discussion culminates in reflections on happiness and the moral order, emphasizing that true happiness is found in the pursuit of goodness.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Boethius's Philosophy

03:10 The Nature of Goodness and Evil

06:08 Transformation Through Virtue and Vice

09:09 The Pursuit of Happiness and the Role of Will

12:03 The Consequences of Sin and Weakness

15:00 The Illusion of Power in Wickedness

18:02 The Order of Desire and Divine Purpose

23:29 Understanding Providence and Fate

27:10 The Moral Order and Chaos

30:51 Adversity as a Path to Virtue

35:30 The Nature of True Happiness

In this conversation, Dr. Wyatt Graham and Dr. Matthew Hoskin delve into Boethius's philosophical arguments in 'The Consolation of Philosophy,' particularly focusing on the nature of evil and its existence. They explore the idea that evil is not a positive force but rather a lack of good, leading to the conclusion that evil men, despite their actions, do not truly exist in a meaningful sense. The discussion also touches on the weakness of those who pursue evil, the relationship between goodness and happiness, and the illusion of power held by evil individuals. Literary references, including characters from Tolkien's works, are used to illustrate these philosophical points, culminating in a rich exploration of the themes of power, goodness, and the nature of existence.

Since Ian has followed his passions by travelling to the Antarctic to befriend the penguins, special cohost Dr. Matthew Hoskin joins Dr. Wyatt Graham to discuss book 3 of The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius.

In this conversation, Graham and Hoskin explore the philosophical insights of Boethius, particularly focusing on the nature of true happiness and its relationship with God. They discuss how worldly pursuits such as wealth and power often lead to misery rather than fulfillment, emphasizing that true happiness is found in the divine. The dialogue delves into the concept of participation in the divine nature and how virtues contribute to a deeper understanding of happiness. Ultimately, they conclude that God is the unchanging source of goodness and happiness, and that true contentment comes from aligning oneself with this divine reality.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context of Boethius

02:44 The Nature of True Happiness

05:37 The Illusion of Earthly Goods

08:12 The Pursuit of Virtue and God

10:46 God as the Source of Happiness

13:00 The Connection Between Philosophy and Scripture

20:09 Exploring Happiness and God

24:34 Pleasure and Participation in God

29:18 Divine Participation and Theosis

34:28 The Nature of God and the Problem of Evil

Ian Clary cannot make it today. He's fulfilling his boyhood dream of making it to space. He's a passenger on a flight to the International Space Station. He'll be there for the next week. And he's finally become the astronaut that he's always dreamed that he could be. So his joy is actually our pleasure. His sort of Beatitude we might say is our Felicitas, if we will, if I'm able to use that, so that we can jump back into Boethius with Matthew Hoskin, who has much more capability in this literature than I do.

In this conversation, Wyatt Graham and Matthew Hoskin explore the philosophical insights of Boethius, particularly focusing on the nature of happiness, fortune, and the internal versus external sources of contentment. They discuss the importance of aligning one's internal state with external realities, the role of providence and love in the universe, and the contrasting characters of Theoden and Denethor from Tolkien's works. The conversation emphasizes the need for unchangeable sources of happiness and the significance of relationships and love in achieving true contentment.

Wyatt is joined not by Ian Clary, but by someone entirely different because Ian is on a self-discovery journey in Mexico travelling with a band of yogis in the mountains right now. We hope that he is fully limbered and stretched and ready to return in several weeks.

In this conversation, Wyatt Graham and Dr. Matthew Hoskin delve into the works of Boethius, particularly his 'Consolation of Philosophy.' They explore the historical context of Boethius, his philosophical inquiries into fate and providence, and the role of Lady Wisdom in guiding Boethius through his despair. The discussion highlights the importance of memory, the nature of philosophy as a way of life, and the contrast between Stoicism and Boethius's views on happiness and divine governance.

Ian is hiking in Peru to find the perfect coffee bean, and he should be there for one week until he goes on another wild adventure. In the meantime, I have asked Matthew Hoskin to be a special guest to introduce a new series on Boethius and his Consolations of Philosophy.

In this conversation, Wyatt Graham and Dr. Matthew Hoskin delve into Boethius's 'The Consolation of Philosophy,' exploring its themes, historical context, and relevance today. They discuss the contrast between philosophy and poetry, the nature of happiness, and the role of Lady Philosophy in guiding Boethius through his despair. The conversation highlights the enduring wisdom found in Boethius's work and its application to modern life, emphasizing the importance of philosophical thought in navigating suffering and finding true happiness.