2. What did God decide from the first moment he created the universe?
(a) Who will be king.
(b) Who will be wicked.
(c) Who will marry who.
(d) How history will unfold.

3. What does Philosophy say of true happiness?
(a) Fortune has a big say in it.
(b) It is what every man wants.
(c) It is given only by God.
(d) One can only be as happy as his actions allow.

4. What claim does Philosophy say is the least convincing?
(a) A king can be honorable.
(b) Fame brings happiness.
(c) Boethius can be saved.
(d) Fame will make you rich.

5. What is happiness according to Philosophy's argument?
(a) Converting to Christianity.
(b) Participating in God's divinity through a good life.
(c) Having a good family.
(d) Going to church.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Philosophy say human beings seek?

2. What topic does Philosophy say is enormous?

3. What does God use to influence men and execute his plan for the universe?

4. Of what does God have a perfect idea of before starting his work, according to Philosophy?

5. What does Philosophy say of honor?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why should the five goods not be entirely dismissed?

2. In Book IV, what can be concluded about the wicked being punished?

3. What does the woman remind Boethius of in regards to God's governance?

4. In light of Christian doctrine, what is the significance of the statement that "there are, some of them extremely harsh, and some, I think, with a purifying mercy"(124)?

5. What is the error that men run into?

6. Why is Boethius still troubled at the beginning of Book IV and what does Lady Philosophy say?

7. Why do God's methods defy human reason?

8. How would the desire of bodily pleasures balance themselves out?

9. Why do the five goods eventually disappoint their possessors?

10. What has nature ordained, according to Book III and what does this say about man's goal?

(see the answer keys)

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