The Letters of Marsilio Ficino : Volume 12 (Liber II) 12 - Valery Rees

The Letters of Marsilio Ficino, Volume 12 (Liber II)marks the completion of a landmark 12-volume publishing project that spans overfifty years of cooperative scholarship by the Faculty of Renaissance Studies atthe School of Philosophy and Economic Science. As the leading creative thinkerof the Florentine Renaissance, Marsilio Ficino (1433-1499) played a pivotalrole in revitalising European intellectual culture through his landmarktranslations and studies of classical Greek philosophy. This final volumebrings together the correspondence of his Second Book, reserved specificallyfor the culmination of the series due to their distinct character as shorttreatises. In Volume 12, Ficino directly addresses the spiritual andintellectual needs of his generation by harmonising ancient wisdom withChristian doctrine. Immersing himself in the Platonic tradition-includingPlato, Plotinus, Proclus, Porphyry and Iamblichus-Ficino demonstrates howclassical metaphysics deepens religious thought. At the heart of his teachingsare a practical emphasis on the discipline of contemplation, an understandingof the fundamental importance of love and the practice of spiritual friendship. Standing alongside his primary works, Platonic Theology and hiscommentary On Love, these letters represent Ficino's most personal andaccessible writings, conveying metaphysical insights to correspondents acrossall walks of life. Edited by Dr. Valery Rees (who holds a Cambridge doctoratein Renaissance Studies) alongside established editor Arthur Farndell, Volume 12maintains the high scholarly standards and consistency of approach maintainedacross the fifty-year project. The series has established a proven track recordacross both academic institutions and general readers, with previous volumesconsistently selling well and requiring multiple reprints. Complete withdetailed notes on the letters, the original Latin text and an index ofcorrespondents, Volume 12 offers an essential resource for scholars and generalreaders alike.