Boethian Wheel Module - The Consolation of Philosophy

What does Greek Philosophy have in common with the Sex Pistols and modular synthesizers?
At first glance, not a lot..... but delving into the MetroModular Boethian Wheel module it's worth considering this and the "Wheel of Fortune & of Fate"

The module takes it's name from the Roman/Greek Philosopher, Boethius (c. AD 475-525) who lived under the rule of the Ostrogothic Emperor Theodoric. Though most people won't have heard of Boethius, it was through him that translations of Aristotle survived. This alone should be enough to cement his name in history, however he is mainly remembered for one book.

His life began full of luxury and prestige. Boethius held high public office, but his life suffered a sudden reversal of fortune. He was imprisoned for the crime of treason (which he didn't commit). While awaiting the trial he wrote this book: The Consolation of Philosophy.

The book explores how evil can exist in a world with God. We today, often ask ourselves how can bad things happen to good people if there is a God? Though this link to Christianity is implied in the book, no reference to Jesus or the Church is made. Boethius doesn't ask God why this bad luck has befallen him. Instead, the book is a conversation between himself and "Lady Philosophy". They discuss the fleeting nature of wealth and fame ("no man can ever truly be secure until he has been forsaken by Fortune").

She teaches that happiness comes from within, and that virtue is all that one truly has.
On human nature, Boethius says that humans are essentially good and only when they give in to “wickedness” do they “sink to the level of being an animal.”

It's a really interesting book, written by a Christian who was also a Platonist. His morality and ethics lie within the Greek/Stoic tradition. I think this may be one of the very first "self help" books... and the fact that it was written in one year (AD 523) by a man in prison makes it all the more compelling a read.

And so what do the sex pistols have to do with Boethius?
The Sex Pistols , Joy Division, New Order , etc appear in the  2002 movie
"24 Hr People"

It's basically about Factory Records.
There is a famous quote about the Wheel of Fortune from the movie:


Dr Who ;-)
Christopher Eccleston

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