Giovanni Pico della Mirandola and Astrology (1486–1493): From Scientia Naturalis to the Disputationes adversus astrologiam

The development of the astrological ideas of Giovanni Pico della Mirandola still remains one of the most intriguing aspects of his legacy. Although Pico explicitly dedicated only his last philosophical treatise, the Disputationes adversus astrologiam divinatricem, to the study of astrology, his views on the subject can be found in nearly all his texts. The current article aims to show the evolution of Pico's philosophical outlook from 1486 to 1493, the year in which he started writing the Disputationes. This focus on his astrological views will illustrate the development of his itineraire philosophique from early Neoplatonic writings and ambitious theological projects to the later biblical commentaries.