Oration on the Dignity of Man

Good book, it can be useful for students, who studies philosophy or history of Renaissance. It is also interesting for all people, who make researches in this area. Professional translation of original texts of Pico.

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463 - 1494) was an Italian Renaissance philosopher who embodied the Renaissance enthusiasm for classical antiquity, zeal for the discovery of unnoticed ancient source material, and development of the problems present by the ancient masters. His belief that the "natural world... is a physical embodiment or model of philosophic and religious truth, not a mere symbol or metaphor of a supernatural order: nature actually embodies God's goodness and wisdom" (pg xii) is a cornerstone of his works. This volume contains: 'On The Dignity of Man' which emphasizes man's greatness and justification for the quest for knowledge in a neo-platonic framework, 'On Being and the One' which discloses 'the most fundamental principles of his thought' (pg xvii) and is a brief synthesis of his vast and uncompleted 'Concord of Plato and Aristotle' (not present in the volume) and the 'Heptaplus' an allegorical attempt to explain the idea that all religions worship the same God. The introduction to this volume is concise and very illuminating. It contains a brief synopsis of Giovanni Pico Della Mirandola's life, Pico Della Mirandola's works, descriptions of his vast library, the state of Renaissance Philosophy, and most importantly important information regarding the texts present in the volume for easier comprehension. The works themselves are relatively easy to follow, especially in comparison to later Medieval Philosophers such as Duns Scotus. A very worthwhile read for any even slightly interested in Renaissance Philosophy or Renaissance Intellectual history!

In the great humanist Pico Della Mirandola's work, "Oration on the Dignity of Man," Plato and Cicero converge. Pico mixes Platonic theology with Ciceronian eloquence and presents a piece of work that challenges the medieval view of human nature, while championing and embodying the "spirit of the Renaissance." With rhetorical genius, execution of style, and philosophical sublimity, this renaissance scholar, at the age of twenty-four, prepared this work as a preface to the startling number of nine-hundred theses, covering metaphysics, logic, ethics, theology, mathematics, magic, and physics. The young Pico delivered this oration in the presence of well-educated men twice his age in order to convince them into a philosophical tournament, in which he would defend the principles of his nine hundred theses. Sadly enough, his expectations were sapped since no one wished to accept his challenge; some of his theses brought forth papal condemnation; and a brief period of imprisonment followed. His death at a young age certainly did not mean that his fame died with him. Men like Erasmus and Politian admired him; and his influence on the modern world has been profound to say the least. In a word, "De Hominis Dignitate," is an epitome of the Renaissance wrapped up in a short and easy-to-read handbook. This is the first single volume edition available of Pico's masterwork, and it is a must have for all philosophy lovers.

Pico, described by Machiavelli as a man of 'almost supernatural genius', made this breathtaking speech at the tender age of 24. It can be divided into four parts: in the first, he celebrates the dignity of man and human ability to make choices which lead to enlightenment and salvation. Secondly, he introduces the means by which one reaches enlightenment: a combination of moral philosophy, dialectic, natural philosophy, and theology, which ultimately leads man to God. He then goes on to defend his own grand project, a set of 900 theses formulated as a synthesis of Greek, Latin (Christian), Arab, Hebrew and Zoroastrian philosophy (among other things, Pico was trying to reconcile the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle). As a true Renaissance figure, he emphasizes the importance of classical dispute and rational argument. It is therefore somewhat surprising that he towards the end offers an exceedingly long rant on mysticism and the secret books of the Cabalists. The young Pico at this point gives the impression of being a little too much of a Renaissance man, trying to pursue all arts and chasing down all avenues of learning at the same time. Yet it is still a great work, one that has stood the test of time and could well inspire and guide young people who seek learning today.

This book represents the preface to the nine-hundred theses on the meaning of man in the world from the perspective of a 15th century prince, mystic, philosopher, alchemist. In this salubrious text we see Pico della Mirandola attempting to fuse the varied religious and philosophical traditions of Zoroaster, ancient Judaism, Plato, and Aristotle into a laudation of the creation of man by the Divine. This text is the founding statement of the "humanist" doctorine which argues that God gave Man "free will" which (if used virtuously) allows man to strive for dignity in the eyes of a beneficent God. This translation aptly conveys the passion and erudition of this great philosopher.