Giovanni Pico della Mirandola

Date of Birth: February 24, 1463

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: November 17, 1494

Biography

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola was an Italian Renaissance philosopher and writer, born on February 24, 1463, in Mirandola, a small town near Modena in Italy. He was a precocious scholar, showing an early interest in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Arabic languages, which he mastered by his teenage years. Pico is best known for his work “Oration on the Dignity of Man,” which has been acclaimed as the “Manifesto of the Renaissance.” This work encapsulated the humanist ideals of the time, emphasizing the potential for human achievement and the pursuit of knowledge. Pico’s intellectual journey led him to study at the universities of Bologna, Ferrara, Padua, and Paris. He was deeply influenced by Neoplatonism and sought to reconcile various philosophical and religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. His syncretic approach was revolutionary and controversial, leading to conflicts with the Church authorities. In 1486, Pico proposed to defend 900 theses on religion, philosophy, natural philosophy, and magic in Rome. However, Pope Innocent VIII condemned 13 of these theses as heretical. Despite this, Pico continued his scholarly work, and his writings have had a long-lasting impact on Western thought. Pico della Mirandola died under mysterious circumstances on November 17, 1494, in Florence, Italy. Some theories suggest he was poisoned, but the true cause of his death remains unknown.

5 Interesting Facts about Giovanni Pico della Mirandola

1. Giovanni Pico della Mirandola was fluent in seven languages by the age of 24.

2. His “Oration on the Dignity of Man” is often regarded as the “Manifesto of the Renaissance.”

3. Pico aimed to reconcile the philosophies of Aristotle and Plato, which were often seen as opposing schools of thought.

4. He was a student of Marsilio Ficino, a leading figure in the revival of Neoplatonism.

5. Pico was a contemporary and friend of notable Renaissance figures such as Lorenzo de’ Medici and Girolamo Savonarola.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Giovanni Pico della Mirandola

1. “To him it is granted to have whatever he chooses, to be whatever he wills.”

2. “Man is rightly called and judged a great miracle.”

3. “There is nothing more wonderful than man.”

4. “Philosophy seeks to discover the hidden causes of things.”

5. “The most useful learning in this life is that which teaches us how to die well.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The concept of net worth as understood today did not exist during Pico’s time. However, he was born into nobility and had significant resources and patronage, particularly from Lorenzo de’ Medici.