Boèce
God sees everything in an eternal present: knowing what we will do does not force us to do it.
Life
Roman statesman and philosopher, consul in 510, who translated and commented on Aristotle's logic and passed this heritage on to the Latin Middle Ages. Accused of treason by King Theodoric, he was imprisoned and executed around 524. In prison he wrote The Consolation of Philosophy, on chance, providence, free will and God's eternity.
Main works
A dialogue with Philosophy on misfortune, fortune, providence and free will.
An arithmetic handbook that became a basis of medieval teaching.
A treatise on music theory.
In his own words
« Eternity is the whole, simultaneous and perfect possession of unending life. »
Aeternitas igitur est interminabilis uitae tota simul et perfecta possessio
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceGod is the supreme good and governs the world by providence, seeing all things in one eternal present.
Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy (c. 524)
God's eternal knowing does not make acts necessary: humans keep a free will, and rewards and punishments stay just.
Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, Book V (c. 524)
He seeks to understand the Christian faith with the tools of Greek logic and philosophy.
Boethius, De Trinitate (c. 520)
True happiness is found in God, the supreme good toward which all things are directed.
Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, Book III (c. 524)