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Quiz for Primary Source 12.3: Pico della Mirandola, “On the Dignity of Man”

Question

1. According to Pico, why did God create man?

To have someone to admire the universe he created

To tend to the needs of the earth and its creatures

To have an heir to his position as divine ruler

To perfect the imperfect universe he created

Correct. The answer is a. In Pico’s version of the creation of the universe, God created man because he “longed for someone to reflect on the plan of so great a creation, to love its beauty, and to admire its magnitude.”

Incorrect. The answer is a. In Pico’s version of the creation of the universe, God created man because he “longed for someone to reflect on the plan of so great a creation, to love its beauty, and to admire its magnitude.”

Question

2. In Pico’s view, what differentiated man from other animals?

Reason

His indeterminate nature

Faith

His immortality

Correct. The answer is b. According to Pico, instead of giving man fixed qualities, God left him as a “creature of undetermined nature.” As a result, individuals are free to determine for themselves what they will be.

Incorrect. The answer is b. According to Pico, instead of giving man fixed qualities, God left him as a “creature of undetermined nature.” As a result, individuals are free to determine for themselves what they will be.

Question

3. According to Pico, why did God place man “at the center of the world”?

So that he could view all of creation and choose his own nature

Because man alone worshipped God

Because man was lower than the beasts

So that he would always be under God’s watchful eyes

Correct. The answer is a. Pico believed that humans contained “all kinds of seeds and the germs of every way of life.” From their vantage point at the center of the world, humans could survey creation and select which seeds within themselves to cultivate.

Incorrect. The answer is a. Pico believed that humans contained “all kinds of seeds and the germs of every way of life.” From their vantage point at the center of the world, humans could survey creation and select which seeds within themselves to cultivate.