In a prefiguration of existentialism, he highlights free will as a liberating force and that by it; man gains not only the privilege, but also the responsibility, to elevate himself in the hierarchy of beings both corporeal and divine. ... He believes that nothing, let alone man, can be defined according to genus or differentiae, given that humanity cannot even exact the definition of Being. ... On one hand, Pico claims ascendency through free will but retains the idea of an open hierarchy still defined within the parameters of Christianity. ...

• Word Count: 541
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Graduate