Philosophies of the Afterlife in the Early Italian Renaissance: Fifteenth-Century Sources on the Immortality of the Soul

The book "Philosophies of the Afterlife in the Early Italian Renaissance" explores the afterlife debate in 15th-century Italy, shedding light on the works of Agostino Dati, Leonardo Nogarola, Antonio degli Agli, and Giovanni Canali, which have been overlooked in modern scholarship. It combines close reading with a broad intellectual survey and includes two unpublished primary texts, providing insight into the development of early Renaissance Platonism and philosophy of religion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The concept of the immortality of the soul has been a central theme in the history of philosophy, gaining particular prominence during the 16th century in Europe. However, before the advent of Pietro Pomponazzi and his contemporaries, the debate surrounding the afterlife had already taken shape in 15th-century Italy. In her groundbreaking work, Joanna Papiernik explores the rich and diverse nature of this debate by examining the works of four neglected but significant figures. Through a meticulous examination of old prints, manuscripts, and other archival material, Papiernik reveals the immense interest in the question of immortality that existed before the 16th-century boom in Aristotelian translations.

One of the key figures Papiernik examines is Agostino Dati, a philosopher who lived in the early 15th century. Dati's treatises, which have until now been overlooked in modern scholarship, provide valuable insights into the debate surrounding immortality. In particular, Dati critiques the positions of both ancient and contemporary thinkers, challenging their assumptions and proposing his own innovative ideas.

Another important figure Papiernik explores is Leonardo Nogarola, a Dominican friar who lived in the late 15th century. Nogarola's writings, which were largely ignored by scholars until recently, shed light on the relationship between immortality and the metaphysics of light. Nogarola believed that the soul was immortal because it was created by God and was infused with the divine light.

Antonio degli Agli, a Florentine philosopher who lived in the early 16th century, is another figure Papiernik examines. degli Agli's treatises, which have also been overlooked in modern scholarship, explore the nature of immortality and its relation to the metaphysics of substance. degli Agli argued that the soul was immortal because it was a substance that could not be destroyed and that it was capable of eternal growth and development.

Finally, Papiernik examines the works of Giovanni Canali, a Venetian philosopher who lived in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Canali's treatises, which have also been largely ignored by scholars, provide a unique perspective on the afterlife debate. Canali believed that the soul was immortal because it was capable of transcending the limitations of time and space and that it could achieve union with God.

Through her comprehensive analysis of these four neglected figures, Papiernik sheds light on the wide-ranging and influential nature of the afterlife debate in 15th-century Italy. She demonstrates how these thinkers engaged with ancient and contemporary ideas, challenging traditional assumptions and proposing new and innovative perspectives. Papiernik's work not only provides a valuable insight into the development of early Renaissance Platonism and philosophy of religion but also highlights the importance of exploring the works of lesser-known figures in the history of philosophy.

In conclusion, the immortality of the soul has been a central theme in the history of philosophy, and Papiernik's work demonstrates the rich and varied nature of the debate that existed before the 16th-century boom in Aristotelian translations. By examining the works of four neglected but significant figures, Papiernik sheds light on the wide-ranging and influential nature of the afterlife debate in 15th-century Italy. Her work provides a crucial insight into the development of early Renaissance Platonism and philosophy of religion and highlights the importance of exploring the works of lesser-known figures in the history of philosophy.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350345836