Würde als Freiheit des Geistes zum Guten: Pelagius als Quelle von Giovanni Pico della Mirandola?

Pelagius’ concept of dignity (dignitas) is concisely introduced on the basis of the Letter to Demetrias. Relying on a till now unnoticed parallel passage, the hypothesis is formulated that the aforesaid letter could have strongly influenced Giovanni Pico della Mirandola’s characterization of free will in the Oratio de hominis dignitate. According to this premise Pelagius’ work would manifest itself as a significant moment in a fascinating history which culminates in the prominent presence of the notion of human dignity in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).