Meditations on the Soul: Selected Letters of Marsilio Ficino

by Marsilio Ficino

Book Overview

The problems that taxed the minds of people during the Renaissance were much the same as those confronting us today. In their perplexity many deep-thinking people sought the advice of Marsilio Ficino, the leader of the Platonic Academy in Florence, and through his letters he advised them, encouraged them, and sometimes reproved them. Ficino was utterly fearless in expressing what he knew to be true. His letters cover the widest range of topics, mixing philosophy and humor, compassion and advice, and offering a profound glimpse into the soul of the Renaissance. This is the only accessible collection of Ficino's writings available in English.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892816589
• ISBN13: 9780892816583
• Release Date: November 1997
• Publisher: Inner Traditions International
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating Side Glimpse Into the Renaissance

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.