Ficino | Renaissance Influencer

Dr Valery Rees has spent decades translating the letters of Marsilio Ficino. Why is Ficino so important?

Marsilio Ficino was a philosopher, born in the 15th Century, living in Florence at the time of its greatest brilliance. Ficino trained as a physician, became a philosopher, a priest, a linguist, a musician and thinker, interested in every aspect of life. He's best known for translating the works of ancient Greece into Latin.

When the works of Plato became available in Greek presented to his patron, Ficino was attracted to learn enough Greek to translate it for the Medici family. Then he wrote commentaries to share his understanding.

Big questions of knowledge, beauty and justice were answered in Plato. How to find happiness, and deal with the dramas of life. He was able to reinvigorate Christian thinking of his time.

Ficino lived in a golden age, with artists, mathematical discoveries, paintings, palaces etc. But there were also epidemics, famine, political and economic crises, war, and religious fanaticism.

Ficino is still relevant; we are experiencing so many of the same problems. His philosophy can guide and restore hope to us today. Wisdom, prudence, justice and perseverance are virtues that are still needed.

Translators in the School of Philosophy and Economic Science have published 11 volumes of Ficino's letters to date. These books are well received in the academic world, but they have a much wider audience too. Their warmth and vitality make the letters appealing to readers.


The School of Philosophy and Economic Science offers courses in practical philosophy and economics with justice as well as other subjects. It aims to approach philosophy in a practical way, encouraging students to apply philosophy in their lives. The School also introduces a mindfulness-type exercise leading eventually to mantra meditation.

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