Customer Reviews

On the Dignity of Man: On Being and the One : Heptaplus (Hackett Classics)

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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!

This book contains three treatises by the Renaissance philosopher Pico Della Mirandola. The first "On the Dignity of Man" is basically a very flowery exposition on the utility of higher learning through the liberal arts. It is a perfectly characteristic example of the feeling throughout the Renaissance, especially as it pertains to "arts and letters". The second treatise "On Being and the One" is an attempt to harmonize the supposed dichotomous understandings of God, as being, as described through the Platonist and perennial Aristotelian schools. It's also a good read for a general understanding of God and the metaphysics of esse. The last and longest treatise contained in the book is the Heptaplus, which is a Biblical exegesis of Genesis. In some respects it is obsolete, in that Mirandola bases his interpretation upon the Ptolemaic understanding of the universe of his times, and so this plays a kind of big part in this writing. However it still sheds at least some light on some of the other of the many layers of meaning in Genesis. Either way, it is interesting as a means to understand a Renaissance Christian perspective. Throughout all the works of Mirandola is evident a high regard for philosophy and learning, for mysticism and wonder, as well as for other traditions different from his own. While he is explicit in denying syncretism, in some places it is kind of hard to accept that as sincere. Overall it is a good read for anyone interested in theology, philosophy, or even Renaissance history.

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.

I am clearly a suspect to be a devoted fan of Pico's learnings...

I would recommend this book to any epistemologist or student of history with an interest in the Renaissance intellectual explosion. Pico's concepts are remarkably aligned with some of the beliefs that aim to structure the unparalleled knowledge explosion that we live today.

The volume is very accesible, and a great reference book.