Paolo Riccio

Paul Ritz ( best known as Paul Ricius, also: Rici, Ricci, Riccius, Paul Israelita ), ennobled as of Sprinzenstein (* 1480, † after 1542 in Innsbruck, usually indicated 1541) was a learned author (philosopher, Kabbalist and physicians ) in the age of humanism.

Biography

Ritz 1505 converted from Judaism to Christianity. As a doctor of medicine, for several years a professor at the University of Pavia, he was from 1514 personal physician of Emperor Maximilian I and educator and consultant of Archduke Ferdinand (later Emperor Ferdinand I ). He was raised on November 15, 1540 as " of Sprinzenstein " ( Castle Sprinzenstein in Upper Austria in Upper Austria ) in the kingdom baron.

Against John Eck represented the Ritz neuplatonistische view the starry sky has a soul. He sought the mediation of Talmud and Kabbalah with Christian teaching (see Christian Kabbalah ). He took up the ideas of Giovanni Pico della Mirandola and Johannes Reuchlin.

Ritz defended in 1523 against Reuchlin Jacobus Hoogstraeten, but also the Kabbalah, which he saw as an allegorical interpretation of the Bible. Erasmus of Rotterdam agreed with this interpretation in November 1520 letter.

In addition to translations from Hebrew is considered his major work De Agricultura Cælesti. 1541 appeared in Augsburg a complete edition of his works.

In Italian Ritz Paolo Ricci is mentioned, but should not be confused with a slightly later living Franciscans that name.