Gianfrancesco Pico Della Mirandola (1469–1533) and His Critique of Aristotle

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-XIV

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2. Introduction

   • Charles B. Schmitt

   Pages 1-10

3. Gianfrancesco Pico’s Life

   • Charles B. Schmitt

   Pages 11-30

4. Gianfrancesco Pico’s General Attitude Toward Philosophy

   • Charles B. Schmitt

   Pages 31-54

5. The General Attack on Aristotle

   • Charles B. Schmitt

   Pages 55-83

6. The Rejection of Aristotelian “Science”

   • Charles B. Schmitt

   Pages 84-127

7. The Critique of Aristotle’s Physics

   • Charles B. Schmitt

   Pages 128-159

8. The Influence of the Examen Vanitatis on Later Thought

   • Charles B. Schmitt

   Pages 160-181

9. Back Matter

   Pages 183-252

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The origins of this book go back to I956 when it was suggested to me that a study on the philosophy of Gianfrancesco Pico della Mirandola would furnish an important addition to our knowledge of the philoso­ phy of the Italian Renaissance. It was not, however, until I960 that I could devote a significant portion of my time to a realization of this goal. My work was essentially completed in 1963, at which time it was presented in its original form as a doctoral dissertation in the Phi­ losophy Department of Columbia University. Since then I have made many minor improvements and several chapters have been extensively reworked. This study represents the first attempt in fifty years to give a detailed account of even a portion of Gianfrancesco Pico's life and thought. The most comprehensive previous study, Gertrude Bramlette Richards, "Gianfrancesco Pico della lv1irandola" (Cornell University Dissertation, I 9 I 5), which I have found very useful in preparing my own book, is largely based on secondary literature and is mistaken in a number of details. Furthermore, Miss Richards' treatment of Gian­ francesco Pico as a thinker is very sketchy and is not an exhaustive study of his own writings. It is hoped that my present study, built in part on her extensive bibliographical indications, brings forth a certain amount of new information which will be of value for further research.

• Aristotle

Policies and ethics