Renaissance humanists had a very positive view of mankind. They greatly appreciated past human achievements, and had an exceptionally high view of human potential . Read through some of Pico della Mirandola's Oration on the Dignity of Man at the link below. Cite a line or two that particular well illustrates Pico's "humanism," i.e., either his appreciation for the past or his optimism about human potential. As an alternative, just cite a line that you particularly like from this work and explain why you like it.http://www.cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/Mirandola/
Even though it is clear throughout the entire passage that there is great appreciation for mankind the lines that I liked the best are "Most esteemed Fathers, I have read in the ancient writings of the Arabians that Abdala the Saracen on being asked what, on this stage, so to say, of the world, seemed to him most evocative of wonder, replied that there was nothing to be seen more marvelous than man. And that celebrated exclamation of Hermes Trismegistus, ``What a great miracle is man, Asclepius'' confirms this opinion" I like this because right away at the beginning Mirandola gives the feeling of how important mankind is.
ReplyDeleteI really like this comment "Above the Throne, that is, above the just judge, God sits, judge of the ages." because it makes a person realize that other people's opinions really don't matter. The only thing that truly matters is that you have a good heart and that God is the true judge of all, even above government leaders, Kings, etc. I think a lot of the time people get so caught up with their lives that they forget to take a step back and look at the big picture, and I think this is a great quote to think about.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite comments of Pico's is "It is more difficult for me, however, to find a line of defense against those who tell me that I am unequal to the undertaking. If I say that I am equal to it, I shall appear to entertain an immodestly high opinion of myself. If I admit that I am unequal to it, while persisting in it, I shall certainly risk being called temerarious and imprudent. You see the difficulties into which I have fallen, the position in which I am placed. I cannot, without censure, promise something about myself, nor, without equal censure, fail in what I promise." I love this comment from Pico. He makes a very good point here. It seems in life that no matter what, there is a positive and a negative, or a good and a bad, to any situation that a person gets put in. No matter what with almost everything that you do, you're making someone happy while making someone else unhappy. He makes a very good point when he is saying it is hard to be humble and modest while still being honest and kind.
ReplyDeleteJACOB SCHWEITZER
This quote " Nevertheless, O Fathers, we cannot fail to recall those three Delphic precepts which are so very necessary for everyone about to enter the most holy and august temple, not of the false, but of the true Apollo who illumines every soul as it enters this world" really tells me that he cares about the past. That these people that want to enter the most holy temple must recall other things. I really like that the past is so important to him. This last line " let us now, with the prayer that the outcome may be fortunate and favorable, as to the sound of trumpets, join battle." Really is just a great line because they are going join battle and they just pray that the outcome will be in their fAvor but they are not greedy when saying it. They just want it to come out favorable. This is really a great reading.
ReplyDeleteJACOB KUHLMAN
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ReplyDeleteWho then will not look with awe upon this our chameleon, or who, at least, will look with greater admiration on any other being? This creature, man, whom Asclepius the Athenian, by reason of this very mutability, this nature capable of transforming itself, quite rightly said was symbolized in the mysteries by the figure of Proteus.
ReplyDeleteThey were defiantly optimistic, viewing humans as admirable and ever changing, a masterpiece of the gods.
that we ought to be sure above all else that it may never be said against us that, born to a high position, we failed to appreciate it, but fell instead to the estate of brutes and uncomprehending beasts of burden; and that the saying of Aspah the Prophet, ``You are all Gods and sons of the Most High,'' might rather be true; and finally that we may not, through abuse of the generosity of a most indulgent Father, pervert the free option which he has given us from a saving to a damning gift.
ReplyDeleteI like this section from Pico della Mirandola because he talks about the importance of mankind, and how we need to be good to our father, (our god) , in the sense of being respectful.
``Enosh hu shinnujim vekammah tebhaoth haj'' --- ``man is a living creature of varied, multiform and ever-changing nature.'' I thought this quote illustrated Pico’s humanism and a high view of human potential. It is basically saying that every man is unique in his own way and everyone has a different personality. People are changing throughout their lifetime for the good and bad. People are always growing into their own unique person every day by what they learn.
ReplyDeletethat we ought to be sure above all else that it may never be said against us that, born to a high position, we failed to appreciate it, but fell instead to the estate of brutes and uncomprehending beasts of burden; and that the saying of Aspah the Prophet, ``You are all Gods and sons of the Most High,'' might rather be true; and finally that we may not, through abuse of the generosity of a most indulgent Father, pervert the free option which he has given us from a saving to a damning gift.
ReplyDeleteI like this section from Pico della Mirandola because he talks about the importance of mankind, and how we need to be good to our father, (our god) , in the sense of being respectful.
"If vegetative, he will become a plant; if sensual, he will become brutish; if rational, he will reveal himself a heavenly being; if intellectual, he will be an angel and the son of God." I think with Pico della Mirandola he talks about all the good that people could do, and with the good being done there will be some sort of reward.
ReplyDelete"Then, that we should become accustomed to bear, in the contemplation of nature, the still feeble light of truth, like the first rays of the rising sun, so that finally we may, through theological piety and the most holy cult of God, become able, like the eagles of heaven, to bear the effulgent splendor of the noonday sun" Pico Della Mirandola is a great example of how we should look to god for physical security, emotion fulfillment, ethnical guidance. Talks how humans really do need to rely on these thing to not only have a great connection with god but import to be a good person and rely on god for these things.
ReplyDeleteRachael Ham
"Who then will not look with awe upon this our chameleon, or who, at least, will look with greater admiration on any other being? This creature, man, whom Asclepius the Athenian, by reason of this very mutability, this nature capable of transforming itself, quite rightly said was symbolized in the mysteries by the figure of Proteus."
ReplyDeleteI like this quote because it illustrates his opinion of man as well as his love for ancient literature. One of the main aspects of the renaissance was the use of Greek and Roman art to enhance the aspects of Christianity. This is a good quote to show that
In reading the Oration on the Dignity of Man, the following quote exemplifies Pico’s view of humanity, “There, as the sacred mysteries tell us, the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones occupy the first places; but, unable to yield to them, and impatient of any second place, let us emulate their dignity and glory. And, if we will it, we shall be inferior to them in nothing.” In the beginning of this dissertation, Pico speaks very highly of God and his creation of Earth, vegetation, animals, etc. He is quite clear that God isn’t “done” with his creation there is need for something else, wherein “man” comes to the forefront. God created man as someone to appreciate His works, but his “ladder” is already fulfilled, from angels to worms, so “man” didn’t have a specific place in the chain.
ReplyDelete“God the Father, the Mightiest Architect” – Men were capable of learning from and imitating any creature that was already created. God, the Architect of all, specifically created man to ascend and descend his “ladder” based on his ability to learn. Pico states that when man exercises his intellect, he can ascend to the level of the angels and of God, but when he fails to use his intellect, he descends God’s “ladder” to that of the level of vegetation and animal life. Based on Pico’s belief of this system, philosophers, such as Pico, were essentially the most dignified of creatures and esteemed at a hierarchical level closest to God and the angels.
The idea that Pico believed that man could ascend and descend God’s “ladder” through their intellectual capacities was supportive of the worth of a human earthly life. The basis of this assumption by Pico was that only human beings could change themselves through their own free will, whereas all other changes in nature were the result of some outside force. Pico observed from his many years of studying at the greatest institutions in Italy and Greece, that philosophies and institutions were always in change, making man's ability to transform the only thing constant. He also believed that all of creation is a symbolic reflection of God. Pico's philosophies had significant influence on the arts, which helped elevate writers and painters from their role as artisans to the Renaissance ideal of artists as geniuses.