Giovanni Pico della Mirandola illustrated rather idealistic overviews of human nature based on certain characteristics that differentiate individuals through the ability to grow and perfect themselves. Thus, the author has stated that everything in nature operates under specific laws that cannot be changed, avoided, or altered (Pico della Mirandola). Humans, on the other hand, have the ability to perfect themselves through divinity and soul purification. Based on the evidence from The Dignity of Man, Pico della Mirandola believes in the pursuit of noble principles through spiritual and moral aspiration, which exemplifies idealism and a belief in the sanctity and perfections of humans as entities. Moreover, the author accentuates the avoidance of impulses through knowledge and divine awakening. This refers to the idealistic belief in human nature that can be malleable and ignorant towards passions, instincts, and unreasonable actions.
God was a special place in the ascent of the individual based on Pico della Mirandola’s reflections. First, God created humans and life itself, which ultimately makes the creator the highest power. However, God gave people free will and the ability to change and respond to the world based on their own decisions (Pico della Mirandola). Thus, God does not directly impact the life of a human being as every person has freedom, and this freedom can be used in multiple ways. A person is free to pursue God and ascend by fighting with certain instincts and impulses. Thus, God has two roles in ascendance. First, he creates life without making it stagnant and only responsive to natural changes. Second, God is a path towards ascendance, yet every individual is to find this path on their own. Both roles exemplify the initial premise, which is the free will that is intrinsic for each human and potentially used to either grow morally and spiritually or remain stagnant and primitive.
Work Cited
Pico della Mirandola, Giovanni. Oration on the Dignity of Man. Regnery Publishing Inc., 1996.