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This third collection of Charles Schmitt's articles complements the
previous two and consists largely of studies published in the last
few years of his life. It therefore contains his mature reflections
on central issues in the fields of Renaissance philosophy and
science, as well as important new research findings. The main
subjects are Aristotelianism and Scepticism, and the history of
medicine and natural philosophy. Some articles assess the place of
traditional elements in the work of major scientific innovators,
such as Galileo or Harvey, others make available new sources of
documentation and show the significance of writings others had not
deigned to look at. Charles Schmitt's insistence that Renaissance
thought should be reconstructed in terms faithful to the value
systems of the period also led to an increasing interest in the
socio-economic context of philosophical speculation, reflected here
in the studies on the University of Pisa in the 16th century.
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.
As originally planned this volume was meant to cover a somewhat
wider scope than, in fact, it has turned out to do. When, in rg68,
I initially conceived of preparing it, it was proposed to deal with
several aspects of early modern scepticism, in addition to the
fortuna of the Academica, and to publish various loosely related
pieces under the title of 'Studies in the History of Early Modern
Scepticism. ' Thereby, I foresaw that I would exhaust my knowledge
of the subject and would then be able to turn my attention to other
matters. In initiating my research on this topic, however, I soon
found that there remained a much greater bulk of material to study
than could possibly be dealt with between the covers of the single
modest volume which I envisioned. My proposed section on Cicero's
Academica was to cover between 50 and 75 pages in the original
plan. It soon became apparent, however, especially after Joannes
Rosa's hitherto unstudied commentary on Cicero's work was
uncovered, that this material would have to be treated at a much
greater length than I had foreseen. The present volume is the
result of this expanded investigation. The monograph which has come
from this alteration in plans has, I think, the virtues of
continuity and cohesive ness and one hopes that these advantages
offset the benefits of a broader scope which were sacrificed."
As originally planned this volume was meant to cover a somewhat
wider scope than, in fact, it has turned out to do. When, in rg68,
I initially conceived of preparing it, it was proposed to deal with
several aspects of early modern scepticism, in addition to the
fortuna of the Academica, and to publish various loosely related
pieces under the title of 'Studies in the History of Early Modern
Scepticism. ' Thereby, I foresaw that I would exhaust my knowledge
of the subject and would then be able to turn my attention to other
matters. In initiating my research on this topic, however, I soon
found that there remained a much greater bulk of material to study
than could possibly be dealt with between the covers of the single
modest volume which I envisioned. My proposed section on Cicero's
Academica was to cover between 50 and 75 pages in the original
plan. It soon became apparent, however, especially after Joannes
Rosa's hitherto unstudied commentary on Cicero's work was
uncovered, that this material would have to be treated at a much
greater length than I had foreseen. The present volume is the
result of this expanded investigation. The monograph which has come
from this alteration in plans has, I think, the virtues of
continuity and cohesive ness and one hopes that these advantages
offset the benefits of a broader scope which were sacrificed."
The Renaissance has long been recognized as a brilliant moment in the development of Western civilization. This book demonstrates the uses of ancient and medieval philosophy by Renaissance thinkers, and throws light on the early modern origins of modern philosophy. The authors introduce the reader to the philosophy written, read, taught, and debated during the period traditionally credited with the `revival of learning'.
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