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 writes at the beginning of the 50s of the 15th century, his first independent works, which were marked by the influence of various philosophers of antiquity.A little later he studied Greek and begins to engage in translation.Ficino in these years, becoming secretary to Cosimo de 'Medici, the head of the Florentine republic.
image Marsilio Ficino
Marsilio general is a generalized way, a kind of symbol of humanist philosophy, the outlook is mixed in various philosophical and religious traditions.As a Catholic priest (Ficino at age 40 was ordained), he was interested in the ideas of ancient thinkers, some of the sermons dedicated "divine Plato" (picture shown below) even put the house in front of his bust candle.He was engaged at the same time Ficino and magic.These contrary, it would seem, for the quality of the philosopher, on the contrary, were inseparable.
Ficino - a humanist
Ficino clearly showed in his work the main feature of the humanist movement, because, like most representatives of later ages, he believed that the new ideals can develop only when justified again to the Christian faith by means of magic andmystical ideas of antiquity, as well as on the basis of the ideas of Plato, whom he regarded as the successor of Zoroaster, Orpheus and Hermes Trismegistus.It should be noted here that for Ficino, as well as other humanists Neo-Platonic philosophy and teachings were common.Only in the 19th century for the first time realized the difference between Platonism and Neo-Platonism.
Translation activities
Marsilio Ficino, with a lot of enthusiasm, engaged in the following three major categories.He became famous mainly as a translator.In the years 1462-1463 it was Marsilio translated attributed to Hermes Trismegistus works into Latin, and "Comments to Zoroaster" and "Hymns of Orpheus."Over the next fifteen years, he has published almost all of Latin dialogues of Plato and Plotinus, and later ancient philosophers "Areopagitica" (80-90 years of the 15th century).
philosophical writings
Another area of activity was associated with Ficino's philosophy.He created two works: "The Platonic Theology of the immortality of the soul" and "On the Christian religion."Ficino, based on the works written by Hermes Trismegistus, argued that the main stages of the development of philosophy appear as a "revelation", so its meaning is to prepare the human soul to perceive the revelation.
Religious ideas
Florentine thinker, in fact, did not share the philosophy and religion, like many other philosophers of the 15th century.According to him, they originate in the ancient mystical teachings.Divine Logos as a revelation was given to Zoroaster, Orpheus and Hermes Trismegistus.After that, the relay of the divine secret knowledge was transmitted to Plato and Pythagoras.His appearance in the land of Jesus Christ embodied in the life of the Logos, the Word.He also conveyed to all the people of divine revelation.
Consequently, and Christian doctrine, and ancient philosophy have a common source - the Divine Logos.For the most Ficino therefore the study of philosophy and the priestly activities are an inseparable and absolute unity.He believed, moreover, that it is necessary to develop some common philosophical and religious concept to combine the teachings of Plato, ancient mysticism with Scripture.
concept of "universal religion"
Ficino according to this logic, there is a so-called concept of a universal religion.He believed that God originally gave the world a religious truth that due to the imperfection of the people to understand to the end can not, therefore, create all kinds of religious cults.An attempt to approach her and make different thinkers, representing the main stages of the development of philosophy.But these beliefs and ideas - just a manifestation of a single "universal religion."Divine truth in Christianity found the most authentic and accurate expression.
Ficino, seeking to uncover the meaning and content of "universal religion" should Neoplatonic scheme.According to him, the world is composed of the following five levels: matter, the quality (or form), the soul, the angel of God (ascendant).Higher metaphysical concepts are God and the angels.They are infinite, immaterial, immortal, indivisible.Matter and quality - the notion of lower related to the real world, therefore, they are limited in space, mortal time, divisible.
main and the only link between the lower and higher stages of being the soul acts.It is, according to Ficino, is threefold, as it has three persons: the soul of the living creatures, the soul of the celestial spheres and the soul of the world.Comes from God, it animates the material world.Literally sings Marsilio Ficino the soul, claiming that it is the bond of all, since when infused into one, does not leave with the other.In general, all the soul, and support all things.Ficino therefore calls it the hub and a bunch of the world, the face of all, the mediator of all things, the nature center.
From this, it becomes clear why so much focus on the individual soul Marsilio.Adjoining to the divine, it is in his understanding is "Mrs. body" manages.Therefore, the knowledge of his soul must be the main occupation of any person.
Subject essence of the human person
Topic essence of the person of the individual Ficino continues in discussions of "Platonic love."He means by love reunion in God carnal, a real person with an idea about it.Ficino, in accordance with the Christian Neo-Platonic ideas, says that everything in the world comes from God and return to him.Therefore, in all things necessary to love the Creator.Then people will be able to rise to the love of God in all things.
true person and the idea of it, therefore - one.But the earth is not a true man, because all men are separated from each other and from themselves.It comes into force divine love, through which we can come to real life.If it will reunite all the people they could find a way to the idea.Consequently, those who love God, people become their own loved ones.
very popular in the 15th century was the sermon "Platonic love," and "universal religion."She retained and later for many Western thinkers of its appeal.
treatise "On Life"
in 1489 published a medical treatise Ficino "About Life" in which he relied on astrological laws, as well as other representatives of the Renaissance.The basis of the medical prescriptions at the time served as the belief that the signs of the zodiac are subject to human body parts, and from different planets different temperaments associated.It is shared by many thinkers of the Renaissance.Opus intended for scientists, which are due to assiduous studies often fall into melancholy or ill.He advises avoiding Ficino minerals, animals, grass, plants belonging to Saturn (the planet has this melancholy temperament), surround yourself with objects related to Venus, Jupiter and the sun.The image of Mercury, as claimed by the thinker, develops memory and intelligence.It may also ward off a fever, if it is placed on the tree.
value activities Ficino
Renaissance Thinkers highly placed Marsilio.He made a great contribution to the culture of Florence 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: the philosophers, politicians, poets, artists and other prominent personalities.
Through environment Ficino worked on many areas of the spiritual life of Florence, in particular on the visual arts, because at that time, customers were generally literary program works.The influence of his ideas can be traced in the "Birth of Venus" and "Spring" by Botticelli, "Pan" Signorelli, as well as in a series of paintings "The history of Vulcan" Piero di Cosimo, and others. It reflects their subsequent history and philosophy.Brief biography and described our ideas of this thinker and today are of great interest.
