This emphasizes the extraordinary freedom and potential bestowed upon humanity, allowing individuals to pursue any path they desire. It suggests that humans are not bound by a fixed nature but possess the unique ability to define and create themselves without inherent limits.
Quote by Giovanni Pico della Mirandola: “To him it is granted to have whatever he chooses, to be whatever he wills.”
To him it is granted to have whatever he chooses, to be whatever he wills.
Insight
Historical Context
In his 'Oration on the Dignity of Man,' Pico argued that God gave humans the unique ability to choose their own nature, distinguishing them from all other creatures. This placed humans in a powerful, central position within the cosmos, with immense responsibility.
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Italian Renaissance philosopher best known for his Oration on the Dignity of Man, written in 1486 as a preface to his nine hundred theses and often called the manifesto of the Renaissance. He synthesised classical philosophy, Christian theology, and Jewish Kabbalah in a bold vision of human potential.
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