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Boethius

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Book cover Encyclopedia of Medieval Philosophy

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Abstract

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius, a late ancient Roman thinker, profoundly influenced western medieval philosophy, literature, and the liberal arts. Boethius translated and commented on a number of important Aristotelian logical works. These translations and commentaries provided the foundations for early medieval logic, philosophy of language, and metaphysics. Boethius’ short theological treatises are remarkable for the way in which they apply Greek philosophical concepts to Christian doctrine. His Consolation of Philosophy is a vivid synthesis of Stoic, Aristotelian, and especially Neoplatonic ethics and philosophical theology. It is a masterpiece, whose literary qualities as well as its philosophical material has influenced generations of humanists.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, Brooklyn College of The City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY, USA

    Andrew W. Arlig

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  1. Andrew W. Arlig
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    Henrik Lagerlund

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Arlig, A.W. (2011). Boethius. In: Lagerlund, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Medieval Philosophy. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9729-4_88

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9729-4_88

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-9728-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-9729-4

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