Oration on the Dignity of Man

According to Pico, pure reason represents the highest level of being. At lower levels, plants and animals lack reason. Man can descend to lower levels, and become like a plant or animal. However, man reaches his zenith by ascending to the higher level of pure reason.

Pico considers practical reason as a lower form of reason, which people should limit. He views divine philosophy as the highest, purest form of reason.

Numbers are seen as the highest form of thought. Magic, too, is described as being in the province of philosophy and religion. It comes in two types: dark and light. The light magic connects the high with the low, interpreting the divine for the earthly.

Pico also discusses physics and metaphysics, poetry, and other topics. Reason, in any form, connects the disparate parts of the world. When man acts without reason, or with impure forms of reason, he descends. When man acts with pure reason, he rises.

Pico himself withdrew from much of society outside of contemplation. He declares that he prefers reason to other activity, more so after years of devoting himself to it.

As have other thinkers, Pico likens thought to physical activity. Both require exercise. Philosophical expositions such as his disputations can be likened to gladiatorial contests.