Pico della Mirandola was an Italian philosopher born in 1463, known for his influential work in the Renaissance. He is best recognized for his text, the Oration on the Dignity of Man, which emphasizes the potential of human beings to shape their own destiny through free will and intellect. His ideas contributed significantly to the development of humanism. Pico was a prominent figure in the Florentine Academy and engaged with various philosophical traditions, including Platonism and Aristotelianism. He sought to reconcile different philosophical and religious beliefs, advocating for a universal philosophy that transcended cultural boundaries. He died in 1494 at a young age.