Customer Reviews

Meditations on the Soul: Selected Letters of Marsilio Ficino

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A book definitely recommended for students of the history of philosophy or students of the history of the Renaissance. Most histories, no matter how deep and well-written, can only scratch the surface of this fascinating period. Original works of creativity, autobiography or letters are necessary in order to fill in the gaps that naturally occur to us tourists of these times.

Ficino makes a wonderful guide for the intellectual explorer. He was a major figure of Renaissance thought, marking the transition from the Aristotelianism of the later Middle Ages to a rediscovery of Plato and Neoplatonism. Ficino translated Plato's dialogues, along with many Neoplatonic works, into Latin, making them accessible to Western scholars for the first time. His masterpiece, "Platonic Theology," was a demonstration of his belief that Platonism, unlike Aristotelianism, was compatible with Christian dogma.

The letters of Ficino give us a rare glimpse into the workings of this great mind during the period he was formulating his magnum opus, as well as a window into the political climate of the times. This was an era when the letter was 'the' form of communication and his letters remain as fresh today as they did when they were written, making the book even more compelling, if possible.

A volume that deserves to be in every scholarly library.

This is not a book which one should sit down and read through. As it is a compilation of the 15th century Italian humanist Marsilio Ficino's letters to friends and other humanists, one should read perhaps several letters per day. Ficino takes his understanding and interpretation of Platonic and neoplatonic thought and applies it to the conditions of the Florence of his time.

The work in its entirety provides an introduction and access to the cultural and intellectual history of Renaissance Italy which has influenced our contemporary culture much more than might generally be recognized. The Introduction provides a concise and reasonably thorough explanation to understanding Ficino, his times, and influences. I highly recommend this work for students of the Renaissance, philosophy in general, cultural and intellectual history, and Platonic and neoplatonic thought in particular.

Marsilio Ficino is not mentioned as much as other famous Italian Renaissance figures but his work cannot be underestimated. Ficino's patrons were the famous de Medici banker family, Cosimo and Lorenzo de Medici allowed Ficino to devote his life to the study of Greek philosophy and Hermetic wisdom. He translated the Corpus Hermeticum and many of Plato's works that had previously been unavailable in Latin. Ficino was a devout Christian however and following in the tradition of great theologians such as Augustine and Aquinas sought to relate Christianity to Greek philosophy or at least show they were not mutually exclusive. However many in the Church were skeptical of Plato and advised against Ficino's interest in the famous Greek philosopher. This collection of letters offers an insight into Ficino's mind and worldview; topics range from Platonism to Christianity and astrology, some of his favorite topics. The translations are readable and while a novice reader might have to do some background investigation it is manageable.