Mertens, Manuel. Magic and memory in Giordano Bruno : the art of a heroic spirit

Folger bibliographic ID: 355394
Folger call number: B783.Z7 M475 2018
Folger holdings ID: 503505

Manuel Mertens unravels the enigmatic knot between the mnemonic treatises and the magical writings of the sixteenth-century Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno. Since long the magical orientation of the Brunian art of memory has been a preoccupation for Bruno scholars (like Paolo Rossi, Frances Yates and Rita Sturlese). This serious study of the philosophical underpinnings of both Bruno's mnemonic treatises and his writings on magic shows that Bruno believed his mnemonic method could prevent demons from corrupting the cognitive process. Mertens's focus on Bruno's idea of deification through memory and the philosopher's view on fiery heroic spirits points to a surprisingly literal reading of the heretic's last words. -- ‡c From publisher's description

General notes

Includes bibliographical references and indexes Manuel Mertens unravels the enigmatic knot between the mnemonic treatises and the magical writings of the sixteenth-century Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno. Since long the magical orientation of the Brunian art of memory has been a preoccupation for Bruno scholars (like Paolo Rossi, Frances Yates and Rita Sturlese). This serious study of the philosophical underpinnings of both Bruno's mnemonic treatises and his writings on magic shows that Bruno believed his mnemonic method could prevent demons from corrupting the cognitive process. Mertens's focus on Bruno's idea of deification through memory and the philosopher's view on fiery heroic spirits points to a surprisingly literal reading of the heretic's last words. -- ‡c From publisher's description

Contents

Magic and Memory in Giordano Bruno : Towards a More Encompassing Perspective -- Special Features of Magical and Mnemonic Writings in the Sixteenth Century -- The Concept of Similitudo -- A Spirit-Regulating Art

Extended title: Magic and memory in Giordano Bruno : the art of a heroic spirit / by Manuel Mertens

Bruno, Giordano, 1548-1600 Magic Memory

author: Mertens, Manuel
subject: Bruno, Giordano, 1548-1600