Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463 - 1494) was an Italian Renaissance philosopher who embodied the Renaissance enthusiasm for classical antiquity, zeal for the discovery of unnoticed ancient source material, and development of the problems present by the ancient masters. His belief that the "natural world... is a physical embodiment or model of philosophic and religious truth, not a mere symbol or metaphor of a supernatural order: nature actually embodies God's goodness and wisdom" (pg xii) is a cornerstone of his works.This volume contains: 'On The Dignity of Man' which emphasizes man's greatness and justification for the quest for knowledge in a neo-platonic framework, 'On Being and the One' which discloses 'the most fundamental principles of his thought' (pg xvii) and is a brief synthesis of his vast and uncompleted 'Concord of Plato and Aristotle' (not present in the volume) and the 'Heptaplus' an allegorical attempt to explain the idea that all religions worship the same God.The introduction to this volume is concise and very illuminating. It contains a brief synopsis of Giovanni Pico Della Mirandola's life, Pico Della Mirandola's works, descriptions of his vast library, the state of Renaissance Philosophy, and most importantly important information regarding the texts present in the volume for easier comprehension. The works themselves are relatively easy to follow, especially in comparison to later Medieval Philosophers such as Duns Scotus. A very worthwhile read for any even slightly interested in Renaissance Philosophy or Renaissance Intellectual history!