Il paradosso dell’ermetismo:

da cratere di conoscenze e saperi all’emarginazione

Abstract

Although disregarded by Augustine, hermetism was highly appreciated among the hu- manists, who deemed it to be a peaceful doctrine that could provide expertise and valuable profound insights. The thoroughness and complexity of the hermetic tradition was fostered by contributions from the most diverse fields of study at the time, such as medicine, mathe- matics, astrology and alchemy. Hermetism would thus comprise a wide range of materials, knowledge and erudition and, therefore, maintain its unquestionable role as a source of wisdom and learning. However, Isaac Casaubon’s philological condemnation of the alleg- edly ancient writings meant a turning point in their reception, and from that moment on, this body of doctrines kept on being challenged never to recover its former prestige and, therefore, barely surviving as a marginal system of knowledge.