Giordano Bruno i ars memoriae: između znanosti i magije
Giordano Bruno and Ars memoriae: Between Science and Magic

Summary/Abstract: The relationship of tradition towards Bruno is twofold, and the analysis of this relationship will show that Bruno is interpreted either as a pioneer of new science or as a mystic, mage, and follower of hermetic tradition. Following these two viewpoints, Bruno’s ars memoriae will be interpreted either as a mere memory technique in the service of empirical science or as an occult, magical art. This paper aims to open up and analyse the ways by which we can approach and understand Bruno and his method, that goes beyond the mentioned strict division. In the period of Renaissance, which represents an incredible combination of tradition and the new, magic and science do not exclude one another; in search for knowledge, each method finds its proper place. Ars memoriae is precisely that: a universal method that allows knowledge to be understood in its multiplicity. In this paper, we will present some of the key elements of Bruno’s philosophy, by exploring different interpretations and perspectives, and show why Bruno was understood and interpreted in the way in which he was and why is it necessary to access the ars memoriae by striving to unite scientific and magical elements. In Bruno’s thought there are many places where scientific and magical are not only not opposed to each other, but are complementary, and represent an inseparable whole within which knowledge is commonplace both to former and latter. The task, therefore, is not to analyse ars memoriae in detail, but to examine possible approaches to that method. Understanding of Bruno depends upon understanding his method of ars memoriae.

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