Humanism in Renaissance Thought

Humanism

• Renaissance philosophy focused on humanist ideas, believing people were inherently good and could utilize reason and logic in life.
• Studying classical philosophy, art, music, and beauty contributed to personal growth and development.
• Francesco Petrarch is considered the father of modern humanism.
• Petrarch was a renowned poet who collected and shared ancient Greek and Roman literature, and wrote in both Latin and the common vernacular of the time.
• Petrarch's emphasis on learning and his belief that studying classical thought would improve society fueled the humanist movement.
• Humanism encouraged the study of classical Latin and Greek, highlighting the importance of education.
• Students studied the works of classical philosophers like Aristotle and Plato.
• Humanism encouraged civic debate, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman practices.

Humanism in Government

• Niccolò Machiavelli was a writer, philosopher, and politician who influenced later thinkers through his writings.
• Machiavelli was imprisoned and tortured by the Medici family for opposing their rule.
• His experiences of political intrigue influenced his most famous work, The Prince, a guide to acquiring and maintaining power.
• Machiavelli challenged the core belief of humanism by suggesting people were generally selfish and corrupt.
• The Prince proposed that leaders should inspire fear rather than love, employing force, cruelty, and deception when necessary for effective rule.
• Machiavelli believed that rulers could achieve greater success through fear rather than kindness.
• The Prince aligns with humanism by emphasizing human agency, emphasizing the ability of individuals to make choices.
• It also glorifies the Roman Empire, highlighting its use of force to maintain control.
• The Prince provided examples of both effective and ineffective leadership from different historical periods.