Happiness Fast or Happiness that Lasts?
“For years and years I roamed, I gazed a gazeless stare,” sang David Bowie in his 1970 song “The Man Who Sold the World,” which tells the story of a man who seemed to live without living; in this regard, Bowie and Boethius have something in common. In his work Consolation of Philosophy, Boethius describes his character self as being lost in the whirlwind of a life dependent upon Fortune. He looked not to the future or anything beyond his youthful victories, and he lived an existence that relied on the temporary while overlooking the good. In the text, the character Boethius learns from his discourse with Lady Philosophy that the only way to live a meaningful existence is to pursue true happiness, a feat that involves forgoing earthly treasures to focus on eternal joys.
At the beginning of the Consolation of Philosophy, Boethius creates an image of his younger self as a young man who “was rich, and [upon whom] whimsical Fortune smiled,” though he chased only a fleeting form of happiness (2). He relied on the whims of Fortune for his satisfaction instead of rooting that happiness in God. Despite living a life dependent on Fortune, Boethius applied himself to do that which is good, like the “betterment of the government” (11). Boethius lived virtuously and pursued what he thought to be righteous, but he writes that “instead of being rewarded for my actual virtue, I am punished for imaginary crimes” (16). His punishment for made-up crimes ultimately signals that Fortune has betrayed him and makes clear that those he thought he could rely on were “fair-weather friends;” these unfortunate events led Boethius to spiral into a depression until Lady Philosophy offered him succor in finding his way back onto the path of true happiness (2).
Because Fortune had turned on him, circumstances forced him to open his eyes to the truth Lady Philosophy offered and accept the eternal good and happiness found in God alone. Boethius navigates the ideas she presents, such as the fickle nature of man. He discovers that men frequently try to adorn themselves with worldly symbols of beauty and wealth in an attempt to add happiness to life or exude a persona of success, but Boethius argues that “what is underneath is foul and worthless” (46). Boethius’ argument coincides with the idea that humans frequently attempt to better their lives and grow happier through earthly treasures, but these “valuable” things only act as a temporary mask covering the fragility and weakness of humans as a result of being separated from God. Boethius goes on to say that “riches have very often harmed those who possess them,” and men were happier when they were “content with nature” and thus content with God (47). People look for happiness amid fleeting things, which, by merit of their temporal nature, could never be a fulfilling pursuit; however, to seek that which is eternal can therefore provide eternal happiness.
As Boethius broadens his understanding of happiness, he begins to grasp the prevailing ideas Lady Philosophy presents to him on the nature of happiness. He grows from trusting Fortune with his contentment to seeking it out in earthly treasures. Upon realizing that both means of pursuing happiness are ineffectual and hollow in comparison to the eternal joy of God, Boethius writes that “all these paths that we think may lead to happiness are false trails and cannot take us to where we want to go,” as only God can do that (77). In identifying God as the highest and purest form of happiness, Boethius concludes that in all other things, “self-sufficiency, power, fame, respect, and pleasure,” anything acquired is incomplete, and the human “mistake is not trying to obtain the whole thing” (81). In an attempt to complete her point, Lady Philosophy asks Boethius what one should do to be “worthy of discovering where the highest good may dwell,” to which he responds correctly with “we must call upon God for this” (Boethius 84). His profound response makes it evident that God is the only source of happiness, and His guidance is the only hope of attaining the prize.
The evidence of Boethius’ changing mindset is apparent throughout his dialogue with his good teacher, Lady Philosophy. In the Consolation of Philosophy, Boethius forfeits the worldly train of thinking and instead embraces that which Philosophy brings; in this change is hope, hope found in God of happiness that is not only eternal but indivisible, too.
Boethius. The Consolation of Philosophy. Translated by David R. Slavitt, Harvard University Press, 2008.
Hey Olivia, I agree with what you said in regard to the meaning in one’s existence being directly correlated to one’s pursuit of eternal joy; and despite Boethius’ application to do that which is good, in expecting his good intentions to be rewarded and turning to self-pity when he chanced upon misfortune, he displayed his corruption. Boethius feels entitled to good fortune because he lived virtuously, an emotion which Lady Philosophy discourages him from entertaining. She tells him, “You want to try farming and sow your seeds… then you must expect barren years as well as years of abundance,” which is mocking, but in the sense that Boethius should expect nothing of Fortune and to feel betrayed by her proves his reliance on a source other than God (Boethius 30). Your statement that, “God’s guidance is the only hope of attaining the prize” puts into perspective the extremity of Boethius’ change in mindset, which is a change we all should hope to achieve.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your interpretation on Boethius' writings when it comes to the pursuit of eternal and true happiness, Olivia. Boethius was living his life surrounded by short term happiness apparently supplied mostly by Fortune and Luck, which can be ripped away at less than a moment's notice. He took pride in what he had, not realizing that "whatever can be taken away cannot be the highest good" (Boethius 41), the good being the highest form of happiness that can only come from trying to follow God in your every day life. This quote also supports your point that earthly, materialistic things such as fame, power, and fortune cannot truly satisfy us, and that only God, in his infinite power, can truly make us happy as human beings. The fact that Boethius went from being a wealthy, powerful man in society to being in a jail cell for treason also puts into perspective the enormity of the shift in his mindset, as you've pointed out quite diligently.
ReplyDeleteHi Olivia: Here's how I think Ficino would respond to your writings:
ReplyDeleteMarsilio Ficino to Olivia, a thoughtful and well-rounded friend.
I must thank you for your previous letter and the wisdom that it provided me. Now I am obliged to reply, although that obligation is dulled by my willingness and joy in replying. You have stated very clearly and elegantly that a person's circumstances often only constitute the very thinnest layer of his life. When a man is in good spirits, his money and his possessions are in order, and he is popular with the other men of his city, he might perhaps find himself content for a little while. But, as you have said, Fortune will eventually move in pursuit of other men and other businesses, and one will find himself quite alone with that surface layer of popularity gone. If a person relies on that very small layer as his shield against everything that is cruel and undesirable, he will find himself living a very unhappy life. "“just as almost all men of power delight in their several possessions, neatly disposed and displayed in their homes, so will you delight in a mind that is ordered by fine language and conduct” (Ficino 9). Therefore, Olivia, continue to dwell on writing well, thinking well, and speaking well, and most of all, concentrating your energies on God. Rather than toying with your life, he will renew it and give you strength for whatever you may face.
Olivia, well done on your essay. Here is how I imagine Pascal would respond to your post.
ReplyDeleteBoethius makes valid points in his writing. There are many elements in which people try and find happiness. However, the happiness people attempt to find within beauty, wealth, and all things valuable only act as “temporary masks covering the fragility and weakness as a result of being separated from God,” just as you mentioned. Boethius says, "Riches have often harmed those who possess them and man is happier when content with nature," meaning man is more content within God because He is the creator of nature. (Boethius, 47) Man thinks he will find true happiness within the material possessions they obtain when in reality, it is false and temporary happiness. In my book Pensees, I bring to light that “Others say: ‘Go out, look for happiness in some distraction.’ And that is not true. Happiness is neither outside us nor within us. It is God.” (Pascal, 9) True happiness is not found in distractions and valuables, but in God, who is both outside and within us. (Pascal, 9)