The Oracle of the Pegasus -- Bruno's Philosophical Dialogues

Author: Giordano Bruno
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: Pegasus, literally translated as "winged horse of Biscione," is a mythical winged horse with double wings on its ribs. The term divination originates from the Jewish holy book "Torah," primarily used to explain the nature of God and the origin of the universe. According to religious definitions, God and the Bible representing God are superhuman, and humans can only comprehend the divinity of God through faith. Divination is thus considered the highest realm of human wisdom and insight. In the 15th century, when a Jewish exile from Spain brought books about divination to Italy, divination and discussions about it became wildly popular in Italy, exerting a profound and far-reaching influence on Italian Renaissance culture and the history of Western thought. Later, the term divination became synonymous with "mystery" in Western culture. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in divination in the West. Bruno used Pegasus and divination as themes, both metaphorically representing the mysteries and divinity of the origin of knowledge and also implying the superiority and sanctity of his philosophical arguments. His works are a fusion of divination, theology, and philosophy—described as "a theological divination, a divinatory theology, and a philosophical divinatory theology." The Encyclop?dia Britannica of the United Kingdom evaluates Bruno's influence as follows: "As a philosopher, Bruno's theories influenced 17th-century scientific and philosophical thought. Since the 18th century, many modern philosophers have absorbed his doctrines. As a symbol of intellectual freedom, he encouraged the 19th-century European freedom movement, becoming one of the most important figures in the history of Western thought and a pioneer of modern culture."