Philosopher, born in Nola, near Naples, Italy as Filippo, took the name Giordano upon becoming a Dominican. Was taught Aristotelian philosophy in the Dominican monastery in Naples, but became attracted to Plato and Hermes Trismegistus and came to the unwelcome attention of the Inquisition, a situation possibly exacerbated by his intemperate, disputative style. Self-exiled to France and England