130. The Consolation of Philosophy - Boethius on Suffering and Hope: Dr. Thomas M. Ward (Prof. of Philosophy @ University of Texas at Austin | Author of ”After Stoicism: Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher”)

2025-12-29

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Send us a textWhat happens when your world crumbles? When all the things you hold dear are snatched away from you? Most of us would give up and despair. And, yet, though he awaited an unjust execution, Roman senator and philosopher Boethius penned these hopeful words:“The world in constant change maintains a harmony. And elements keep peace whose nature is to war.”Faced with his coming death, Boethius reflected upon his life of contemplation and philosophy, writing one of the greatest works of the medieval age on facing suffering: The Consolation of Philosophy. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Thomas Ward to disc...

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What happens when your world crumbles? When all the things you hold dear are snatched away from you? Most of us would give up and despair. And, yet, though he awaited an unjust execution, Roman senator and philosopher Boethius penned these hopeful words:

“The world in constant change maintains a harmony. And elements keep peace whose nature is to war.”

Faced with his coming death, Boethius reflected upon his life of contemplation and philosophy, writing one of the greatest works of the medieval age on facing suffering: The Consolation of Philosophy.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Thomas Ward to discuss Boethius’ magnum opus and Dr. Ward’s latest book, After Stoicism: Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher. Dr. Ward and I examine what Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy can tell us about how to approach life in the midst of suffering.

Topics:

Who Was Boethius and Why He Matters
Why The Consolation of Philosophy Endured
Lady Fortune, The Wheel, and Approachability
Boethius’ Illness and Philosophy’s Diagnosis
Forgetting Who We Are
Modern Stoicism’s Appeal and Limits
After Stoicism: Hope, God, and Joy
Love as the Order of the Cosmos
Eros and Caritas: What Love Means
Daily Practices for Recollection
How to Live Like Boethius: Suffering, Virtue, and a Transcendent Order
"What books have had an impact on you?"
"What advice do you have for teenagers?"

Bio:

Thomas M. Ward is Associate Professor of Philosophy at The University of Texas at Austin, in the School of Civic Leadership. He is the author of After Stoicism: Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher (Word on Fire, 2024), which won the Catholic Media Association Book Award for History (First Place). He studied philosophy at Biola University (BA 2004) and UCLA (PhD, 2011) and theology at Oxford University (M.Phil 2006).

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