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Ontology of Man, Seen by Different Philosophers

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Ontology of Man, Seen by Different Philosophers
The philosophy of man is an intricate and multidimensional

system involving complex problems rationalized by theoretical ideals.

In writing the Oration on the Dignity of Man, Giovanni Pico della

Mirandola approaches this study universally, wherein, humanism and the

worth and dignity of the populace is affirmed. Saint Augustine's

Confessions attempts to explain the truth and philosophies of man, but

does so with a different approach, referring to man as a product of

society self-consciously misdirected by his soul. These philosophies

share some similarities while also differing from one another; however,

both share a common purpose: to explain the philosophy of man. This

essay will proceed to juxtapose and integrate the works of Giovanni

Pico della Mirandola and St. Augustine taking into consideration the

time periods within which each lived and studied.

Saint Augustine defines the apparent imbalance between what or

who people are and what people truly desire. Desire, according to

Augustine, is accompanied by will, which can misdirect and lead to a dualism of internal and external conflict. This dualism describes the separation that occurs when one is persuaded by social structures to act in a manner that is different from his or her authentic being. His philosophy is greatly reliant upon religion and is derived from the experience of his sinful youth and conversion to Christianity. Conducting his knowledge through an understanding of original sin - Christians usually refer to this as mankind's first offense, where evil's effects are felt by the entirety of the human race (Christian Classics). Augustine's interpretation, while also incorporating will, corresponds with the predestined nature to succeed through hardships, therein, founding man's virtue.

On the other hand, while Pico identifies the importance of a

Christian back round, he approaches this philosophy holistically,

combining natural philosophy and science. In his

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