Cicero: On Fate: & Boethius: The Consolation of PhilosophyIV.5–7 and V

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Cicero and Boethius did more than anyone else to transmit the insights of Greek philosophy to the Latin culture of Western Europe which has played so influential a part in our civilisation to this day. Cicero's treatise On Fate, though surviving only in a fragmentary and mutilated state, records contributions to the discussion of a central philosophical issue, that of free will and determinism, which are comparable in importance to those of twentieth-century philosophers and indeed sometimes anticipate them. Study of the treatise has been hindered by the lack of a combined Latin text and English translation based on a clear understanding of the arguments; Dr Sharples' text is intended to meet this need. The last book of Boethius' Consolation is linked with Cicero's treatise by its theme, the relation of divine foreknowledge to human freedom. Text with translation and commentary. Preface Note on abbreviations INTRODUCTION 1. Cicero and the Latin reception of Greek philosophy. 2. The place of On fate among Cicero's philosophical works. 3. The freewill problem before Cicero. 3.1 Causation. 3.2 Future truth and possibility. 4. Cicero's treatise On Fate: plan and sources. 4.1 The plan of the work. 4.2 Cicero's sources. 5. An evaluation of Cicero's treatise. 6. The influence of Cicero's treatise. 7. Divine foreknowledge from Cicero to Boethius. 8. Fate and providence. 9. The problem of evil. 10. Boethius' life and works. 11. The Consolation of Philosophy. 12. The sources and arguments of IV.5-7) and V. 13. The Consolation and Christianity. 14. The influence of the Consolation of Philosophy 14. On the texts. Sigla Text and translation: Cicero, On fate. Append ix: Para! lei texts Boethius, Consolation of Philosophy IV.5-7 and V Commentary: Cicero, On fate Appendix: Parallel texts Excursus: Terminology for Causes Boethius, Consolation of Philosophy IV.5-7 and V Select Bibliography Index