What Was The Impact Of The Three Book On Life

Of the rebirth of the arts and sciences of the Renaissance, there was one derived from Classical sources that stood as one of the more prominent. The studies of astrology and astronomy helped to advance not only theological doctrine but also brought about new technologies. One Renaissance philosopher and author during this period, Marsilio Ficino, wrote The Three Books on Life to illustrate the effects of the stars on one's health, expanding the Christian way of thinking, as well as detailing the constellations and quintessential stars that would eventually lead to the development of advanced technologies in navigation. Each of the three books contained in the text, On a Healthy Life, Scales of Life, and On Obtaining Life from the Heavens details
With a profound belief in astrology and its effects on human life, Ficino wrote this document to emphasize the stars and their influence. This, subsequently, did not have as large of an impact as one would think. Ficino was careful when providing commentary on this subject as to avoid inquisition by the Catholic Church (1). Social impacts of the texts weren't immediately apparent nor were they great as Ficino's topic was not widely studied or known. The most apparent theme throughout the whole of the work is the lack of contradiction between “true philosophy and revelation. (1)” The idea of a unity between classical works and Christianity greatly appealed to Ficino as a philosopher, theologist, and physician, and this is evident in his work. Overall, however, the most profound effects of Ficino's book on social events lie in his influence on the Medici family, of whom he was a physician to. Lorenzo and Cosimo greatly appreciated Ficino's study of astrology and
Astrology and astronomy are similar in the fact that they both track the locations of these stars, but astrology moreover identifies with how they influence the human personality and culture. Though Ficino did not know that the earth circumvented around the sun along with the other planets, he was correct in identifying their perpetual cycles, especially in his third book (5). Not only does this lay a path for future scientific thinkers and philosophers in determining the actuality of our galaxy, but it also led to the development of navigational technologies that would aid explorers in traversing expansive oceans and unknown lands. Of course it would be pretentious to assume that Ficino was the only individual of the time that studied the stars to influence further technological and scientific development, but it is to be considered that his work identifying the stars and their patterns, even if it wasn't for the former purposes, most likely had a great impact on the developing navigational tools of future generations in Europe