Marsilio Ficino - philosopher, theologian and scientist, an outstanding thinker of the Renaissance

Marsilio Ficino (years of life - 1433-1499) was born near Florence, in the town of Figline. He was educated at the University of Florence. Here he studied medicine and philosophy. The philosophy of Marsilio Ficino, as well as some facts from his biography will be presented in this article.

Marsilio wrote in the early fifties of the 15th century his first independent works, which were marked by the influence of the ideas of various philosophers of antiquity. A little later he studies the Greek language, and also begins to deal with translations. Ficino became Secretary of Cosimo de 'Medici, the head of the Florentine Republic, in those same years.

Image of Marsilio Ficino

Marsilio in general is a generalized image, a kind of symbol of a humanist philosopher, in the worldview of which various philosophical and religious traditions are mixed. Being a Catholic priest (Ficino at the age of 40 adopted San), he was fond of the ideas of ancient thinkers, some of the sermons dedicated to the "divine Plato" (the image is presented below), even put a candle in front of his bust. Was engaged at the same time Ficino and magic. These conflicting, seemingly, qualities for the philosopher himself, on the contrary, were inseparable from each other.

Ficino is a humanist

Ficino vividly showed in his work the main feature of the humanistic movement, as, like most of the representatives of subsequent epochs, he believed that it is possible to develop new ideals only when the Christian doctrine is again founded with the help of magical and mystical representations of antiquity, and also on the basis of ideas Plato, whom he considered the successor to Zoroaster, Orpheus and Hermes Trismegistus. It should be noted at the same time that for Ficino, as well as for other humanists, Plato's philosophy and Neoplatonism were a single doctrine. Only in the 19 th century was the first time realized the difference between Neoplatonism and Platonism.

Translation activities

Marsilio Ficino, having a lot of hobbies, was engaged in the following three major activities. He became famous, first of all, as an interpreter. In 1462-1463, it was Marsilio who translated the works attributed to Hermes Trismegistus into Latin, as well as "Comments to Zoroaster" and "Hymns of Orpheus." For the next fifteen years he published in Latin almost all the dialogues of Plato, as well as the works of Plotinus, late ancient philosophers and "Areopagitika" (80-90 years of the 15th century).

Philosophical writings

Another area of activity Ficino was associated with philosophy. He created two works: "Plato's theology of the immortality of the soul" and "On the Christian religion." Ficino, relying on the works written by Hermes Trismegistus, argued that the main stages of the development of philosophy appear as "illumination," and therefore its meaning is to prepare the human soul for the perception of revelation.

Religious Ideas

Florentine thinker, in fact, did not share philosophy and religion, like many other philosophers of the 15th century. In his opinion, they originate in the mystical teachings of antiquity. The divine Logos as a revelation was granted to Zoroaster, Orpheus and Hermes Trismegistus. After this, the relay of divine secret knowledge was transferred to Plato and Pythagoras. By his appearance on earth, Jesus Christ embodied the Logos-Word. He also gave the divine revelation to all people.

Hence, both Christian doctrine and ancient philosophy have a common source - the Divine Logos. For Ficino himself, therefore, studies of philosophy and priestly activity were presented in indissoluble and absolute unity. He believed, moreover, that one should develop some kind of a single philosophical and religious concept, combine the teachings of Plato, the ancient mysticism with the Holy Scripture.

The concept of "universal religion"

According to this logic, Ficino has a so-called concept of universal religion. He believed that God initially gave the world a religious truth, which due to imperfection people can not fully understand, therefore they create all sorts of religious cults. Attempts to approach it are also made by various thinkers who represent the main stages in the development of philosophy. But all these beliefs and ideas are just a manifestation of a single "universal religion." Divine truth in Christianity found the most reliable and accurate expression.

Ficino, trying to reveal the meaning and content of the "universal religion," follows the Neoplatonic scheme. In his opinion, the world consists of five levels: matter, quality (or form), soul, angel, god (ascending). The highest metaphysical concepts are god and the angel. They are endless, immaterial, immortal, indivisible. Matter and quality are lower concepts associated with the material world, therefore, are limited in space, mortal, temporal, divisible.

The main and only link between the lower and higher levels of being is the soul. In Ficino's opinion, it is triune, since it has three hypostases: the soul of living creatures, the soul of the heavenly spheres and the soul of the world. Proceeding from God, it enlivens the material world. Literally praises Marsilio Ficino's soul, claiming that it is the bond of everything, since when it settles into one, it does not leave the other. In general, the soul supports everything and permeates everything. Ficino therefore calls it the knot and bundle of the world, the face of everything, the mediator of all things, the center of nature.

Based on this, it becomes clear why so much attention is paid to Marsilio the soul of an individual. Adhering to the divine, she in his understanding is the "mistress of the body", controls it. Therefore, the knowledge of one's soul should become the main occupation of any person.

The theme of the essence of the human personality

The theme of the identity of the individual person Ficino continues in the discussion of "Platonic love." He means, under the concept of love, a reunion in the god of the carnal, real man with the idea of him. Ficino, in accordance with Christian-Neoplatonic ideas, writes that everything in the world comes from God and will return to him. Therefore, in all things one must love the Creator. Then people will be able to rise up to love in the God of all things.

A true person and the idea of him, therefore, is one. But on earth there is no true man, for all people are separated from each other and from themselves. Here the divine love enters into force, with the help of which one can come to a true life. If all people rejoin it, they will be able to find a way to the Idea. Therefore, loving God, people become their own beloved.

Very popular in the 15th century was the preaching of "Platonic love" and "universal religion." It also retained its attractiveness for many Western European thinkers.

Treatise "On Life"

In 1489, the medical treatise Ficino "On Life" was published, in which he relied on astrological laws, like other representatives of the Renaissance. The basis of medical prescriptions at that time was the belief that the signs of the zodiac subordinated parts of the human body, and different temperaments are associated with different planets. It was shared by many thinkers of the Renaissance. The opus was intended for scientists who, because of diligent studies, often fall into melancholy or become ill. They advise Ficino to avoid minerals, animals, herbs, plants related to Saturn (this planet has a melancholy temperament), surround themselves with objects related to Venus, Jupiter and the Sun. The image of Mercury, as claimed by this thinker, develops memory and ingenuity. He can also drive away the fever if placed on a tree.

Significance of the activities of Ficino

Thinkers of the Renaissance put Marsilio high. He made a great contribution to the culture of Florence in the last third of the 15th century, especially in the development of a new type of Platonism. Among his friends were the largest representatives of the Renaissance in various fields: philosophers, politicians, poets, artists and other outstanding personalities.

Through the environment Ficino worked on many spheres of the spiritual life of Florence, in particular, on fine arts, because at that time the customers usually composed the literary program of works. Influence of his ideas can be traced in "The Birth of Venus" and "Spring" by Botticelli, "Pane" Signorelli, as well as in the cycle of paintings "The History of the Volcano" by Piero di Cosimo and others reflects them and the further history of philosophy. Briefly described by us biography and ideas of this thinker and today are of great interest.