Isaac Cardoso

Isaac Cardoso, born Fernando Cardoso in 1604 in Trancoso, Portugal, was a notable Portuguese-born Sephardic Jewish physician, philosopher, and polemic writer who died in Verona in 1683. He was the elder brother of Abraham Miguel Cardoso. Cardoso's early education in medicine, philosophy, and natural sciences took place at the University of Salamanca. He established his medical practice in Valladolid in 1632 and subsequently served as the chief physician in Madrid. During his time in Madrid, he published significant works including a lecture on Vesuvius and earthquake causes in 1632, a treatise on the color green in 1635, and a funeral discourse for Lope de Vega in the same year. He also published a treatise on the uses of cold water in 1637. Fearing the Inquisition, Fernando (his birth name) relocated with his brother Miguel to Venice. There, they both publicly converted to Judaism, and Fernando adopted the name Isaac. He eventually settled in Verona, where he lived out the remainder of his life. Cardoso's philosophical and theological contributions are evident in his major work, "Philosophia Libera in Septem Libros Distributa," published in Venice in 1673. In this comprehensive treatise, he critically examined various philosophical systems and strongly opposed the Kabbalah and the teachings of Sabbatai Zevi, also ridiculing the doctrine of the transmigration of souls. He further defended his Jewish identity and community in his book "Las Excelencias y Calunias de los Hebreos," published in Amsterdam in 1679. This work aimed to highlight the virtues of the Jewish people and refute common calumnies against them. Daniel Levi de Barrios also noted Cardoso's publication of "Varias Poesias" (Sundry Poems) in 1680. Cardoso asserted that philosophy and science originated from Jewish tradition, citing Joseph's influence on the Egyptians.