DANTE, A HUMANIST PHILOSOPHER

In the 29^th Canto of Dante’s “Paradiso”, Beatrice explains that both the angels and the universe were created simultaneously. This passage is essential for understanding, not only the ontology, but also the moral message of Dante’s poem and, extensively, its concept of the human. After a review of several readings of these verses, the article argues that the Comedy’s ontology is strictly hylomorphic. Thus it is incorrect to state that, for Dante, matter is a negative principle, and transcendence consists in leaving it behind. On the contrary, in the Commedia the body, with all its sensuality and historicity, with all its humanity, is indispensable for the salvation of the soul.