Abstract
Symbolic figures like Sophia, Philosophia or Lady Reason represent feminine features in texts of the Western philosophical tradition that are often overlooked in their later interpretations. The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius (480–524), one of the most widely read philosophical texts of medieval times, includes a dialogue between the imprisoned Boethius who awaits his death sentence and Philosophia, a feminine personification of philosophy. In my interpretation of Philosophia, I analyze how the practice of philosophy she and Boethius stage in this text consists of working with and reflecting on the difficult emotions he struggles with. This argument is based on how ancient meanings of the noun sophia include practical, embodied, and sensual knowledge and not only theoretical knowledge. My interpretation hence involves underscoring feminine elements of philosophical reasoning that includes embodiment and emotions. Philosophia resurfaces in many philosophical texts, such as in Christine de Pizan’s The Book of the City of Ladies (1405), one of the greatest feminist books of the middle ages, where Lady Reason teaches the author to help her trust her feelings and judgements about women.
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Notes
- 1.
In the English translation of the text the woman is referred to as Philosophy, but in the Latin version she is Philosophia, which displays more clearly the connection with the ancient Greek noun, sophia (wisdom).
- 2.
Boethius. 1983. The consolation of philosophy. Trans. by V.E. Watts. London: Penguin.
- 3.
For the original text in Latin see: http://faculty.georgetown.edu/jod/boethius/jkok/boeconc/main.htm.
- 4.
Friedrich Nietzsche, Menschliches Allzumenschliches II, Vermischte Meinungen und Sprüche, § 170. Kritische Studienausgabe der Werke Nietzsches, Berlin, New York: de Gruyter, vol. 2, 449.
- 5.
In her Lectures on Kant´s Political Philosophy Hannah Arendt argues that Kant´s notion of aesthetic taste can be interpreted as a base for his understanding of taste as political judgment. (Arendt 1982).
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Thorgeirsdottir, S. (2020). The Torn Robe of Philosophy: Philosophy as a Woman in The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius. In: Thorgeirsdottir, S., Hagengruber, R. (eds) Methodological Reflections on Women’s Contribution and Influence in the History of Philosophy. Women in the History of Philosophy and Sciences, vol 3. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44421-1_6
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