Philosophy for the People cover image

Philosophy for the People

Boethius, the Good, and Philosophy as Therapy w/ Dr. Tom Ward

Oct 28, 2024
Dr. Thomas Ward, a scholar of medieval philosophy and author of After Stoicism, joins the conversation to discuss the legacy of Boethius. He reflects on Boethius's life, highlighting how his philosophical insights provided solace during tumultuous times. The dialogue explores the healing power of philosophy, contrasting true happiness with material wealth. Ward dives into Boethius's notions of providence and freedom, and the timeless relevance of goodness and evil. Additionally, he shares insights on future philosophical projects, weaving together faith, ethics, and existence.
01:02:00

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Dr. Thomas Ward advocates for a revival of Boethius's philosophical insights, particularly 'The Consolation of Philosophy,' as a therapeutic tool for modern audiences.
  • Boethius challenges deterministic views by arguing that divine providence allows for human free will, promoting an optimistic perspective on human agency.

Deep dives

Reviving Interest in Boethius

Boethius, once a hugely popular Roman philosopher, experienced a decline in recognition over the centuries despite influencing poets, theologians, and statesmen. Although theories suggest that the Renaissance's humanist movement may have contributed to his obscurity, the reasons remain unclear. Dr. Thomas Ward highlights the enduring relevance of Boethius's work, particularly 'The Consolation of Philosophy,' which is still celebrated for its clarity and insights. Dr. Ward aims to reintroduce Boethius to modern audiences and emphasizes that his writings deserve renewed attention in philosophical and educational contexts.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode