“Oration on the Dignity of Man” by Mirandola Essay

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In the Oration on the Dignity of Man, the author outlines that humans are the most significant creature in the universe because they have been given “free will,” which makes them superior to all other creatures. As an address to the audience regarding human dignity, a result, Pico offers the individual the ability to take charge of their destiny by placing the burden of sensible decisions entirely on the shoulders of the person. Socrates from The Golden Ass takes responsibility for his current condition by prioritizing knowledge and wisdom over power and money, as detailed in the book Oration on the Dignity of Man.

Socrates is responsible for his current predicament since he embraced knowledge and wisdom over power and money. According to Pico, since man can choose his path in life, he is ultimately accountable for his happiness. Socrates rose to fame due to his dedication to acquiring wisdom and learning. He gave up his riches to pursue intelligence, ultimately noting that “the fountain of wisdom is the exact metaphysics of the intellectual and angelic forms and the stream of knowledge is the most steadfast philosophy of natural things” (“Oration on the Dignity of Man” 252). Pico thinks that everyone is free to make their own choices and is eventually accountable for the outcomes of their actions. Generally, this example is visible using Socrates as a model.

In The Golden Ass, Socrates’ misfortune is an example of actions and reactions and their relationship with fate. Socrates makes the first choice of cheating on his wife, although knowing it is ethically wrong. According to Pico’s theory, man can only achieve greatness by fulfilling an oath set by God and making the proper choices based on reason. Socrates became the victim of a succession of misfortunes solely due to his actions and decisions. He describes the woman, noting, “Verily, she is a Magitian, which hath the power to rule the heavens” (The Golden Ass 29). With these remarks, it appears that Socrates is attempting to absolve himself of any responsibility for his conduct and the repercussions of his judgments.

Works Cited

Apuleius. The Golden Ass. Oxford Paperbacks, 2008.

“Oration on the Dignity of Man.” The Renaissance Philosophy of Man, edited by Ernst Cassirer, Paul O. Kristeller, and John H. Randall, University of Chicago Press, 1956, pp. 223-254.

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