engleski

Paulus Scalichius. His thought, sources, and fortune

The essay explores the life, thought and fortune of the controversial philosopher and theologian Paulus Scalichius / Pavao Skalić (1534–1575). In the first part, a short biography is provided, followed by an overview of some of the most significant cultural trends characterizing Europe between the 15th and 16th centuries. Outside of such context, in fact, Scalichius’ thought remains difficult to grasp. In the second part, a brief survey of his fortune between the 16th and 18th centuries shows that Scalichius did not play a marginal role in the history of encyclopedism, magic, Christian cabalism, and in the literature dedicated to emblems and symbols. Next, some of the most relevant aspects of his thought are addressed, focusing on some of the treatises collected in his Encyclopaediae … Epistemon (Basel, 1559), which was republished in Köln in 1571 with a number of significant variations. In the conclusion, it is stressed that it remains difficult to fully understand the evolution of Scalichius’ thought, to assess his originality, and to identify his place in the cultural context of his time until a proper examination of his sources and his use of them is carried out. Much work is yet to be done in this direction.

Pavao Skalić, life, works, sources, encyclopedism, Lullism, magic, Cabala

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