The Philosopher

Giovanni Battista Scaramelli

The face

The background

Nationality:
Italian
Schools:
Jesuit
Period:
18th-century

The synopsis

Giovanni Battista Scaramelli (born 24 November 1687, Rome – died 11 January 1752, Macerata) was an Italian Jesuit, ethicist, and ascetical writer. He entered the Society of Jesus on 21 September 1706. He devoted himself to preaching and the ministry for fifteen years. Scaramelli is recognized for his contributions to the terminology of spiritual theology, being credited by some as the first to use the term 'asceticism' distinctly from 'mystical'. His work *Directorium Asceticum* was praised by the Catholic Encyclopedia for its enduring relevance and integration with modern psychology. He wrote several works on spiritual direction and ethics, including *Vita di Suor Maria Crocifissa Satellico*, *Discernimento de' spiriti*, and *Il direttorio mistico*.

The works