Oration on the Dignity of Man

...fathers, that I at such a young age—a time when, as they say, one is usually only permitted to read the works of others—have chosen to come forward with a new philosophy. Praise it, if it can defend itself; condemn it, if it is not approved. Finally, if our discoveries and our writings are destined to find recognition, let them not count the years of the author, but rather his merits or his flaws.

Furthermore, we have proposed another innovation: a method of philosophizing through numbers. This was followed by the ancient theologians, especially Pythagoras, Aglaophamus A priest of the Orphic mysteries who was said to have initiated Pythagoras into divine wisdom., Philolaus A Pythagorean philosopher who was the first to commit the school's secret oral teachings to writing., Plato, and the earliest Platonists. However, like many other noble things, it was forgotten through the neglect of later generations, so that now it hardly retains any visible form. Plato wrote in the Epinomis A dialogue often attributed to Plato or his followers that serves as a sequel to the 'Laws.' that among all the liberal arts and contemplative sciences, the most divine is the science of number. To the question of why man is wiser than animals, he answered: because he knows how to count. Aristotle also mentions this in his Problems A collection of scientific and philosophical questions attributed to the Aristotelian school.. Abunazar The Latinized name for Al-Farabi, a major figure in Islamic philosophy. wrote that, in the opinion of Avenzoar of Babylon Likely referring to the physician Ibn Zuhr, though Pico associates him here with ancient Mesopotamian wisdom., he who masters the art of calculation knows everything. One could not judge these things correctly if "the science of numbers" were understood merely as the art of counting, in which merchants are so skilled today. Plato noted this, openly warning us not to mistake the divine for the "arithmetic of traders" In 'The Republic,' Plato distinguishes between the math used for buying and selling and the math that leads the soul toward truth.. In the hope that after many sleepless nights I have succeeded in mastering this sublime arithmetic, I have promised—aware of the danger of such a task—to answer publicly using mathematics 74 questions that are considered central among the theses concerning nature and God.

We have also set forth propositions regarding magic. The essence of these is that there are two kinds of magic: one is based entirely on the works and authority of demons, which is a monstrous thing and subject to condemnation; the other, if one considers it well, is nothing other than the ultimate peak of natural philosophy. The Greeks mention both: the first they call goetia original: "колдовством" / goēteia, considering it unworthy of the name "magic," while the other—the highest and most perfect science—they designate by the specific term "magic." Indeed, as Porphyry A Neoplatonist philosopher and student of Plotinus. asserts, in the language of the Persians, "magic" signifies the same thing as "interpretation and worship of the divine" Pico is arguing that the word 'magus' originally meant a Persian priest-philosopher. among us.

Thus, fathers, there is a great, even immense difference between these sciences. One is condemned not only by the Christian religion, but by all laws and every well-ordered state. The other is approved and valued by all scholars and all nations seriously engaged in the study of astronomy and theology. The first is the most deceitful of sciences; the second is reliable and firm. Whoever practiced the first always did so in secret, because it brought shame and disgrace upon its adherents; the other became a source of the highest scientific glory and honor in both ancient and later times. Among those who practiced the first, there was never a philosopher or a man striving for the study of sciences; but to master the second, Pythagoras, Empedocles, Democritus, and Plato crossed the seas, and upon their return, they praised it, though they did not reveal its secrets. The first cannot be justified by reason or by reference to authorities; the second is celebrated...