Renaissance Philosophers Overview

Renaissance Philosophers

• Philosopher Definition: Someone who studies knowledge, truth, and life's meaning.
• Philosopher Roles: Translated classical works, wrote essays/poems/books, taught youth, presented ideas.
• Francesco Petrarch (Petrarch): Translated ancient Greek texts, traveled Italian city-states, believed ancient societies superior to his time, believed in combining Christian and humanist ideas.
• Desiderius Erasmus: Translated the Bible to vernacular languages, wrote "The Praise of Folly" critiquing clergy, believed study involves discussion over memorization, and emphasized Bible & classics.
• Guillaume Budé: Filled French National Library with ancient manuscripts, founded Collegium Trilingue (Greek, Latin, Hebrew), spread Renaissance to Northern Europe, favored original language study, believed laws should be logical and reason-based, and kings should support the arts.
• Michel de Montaigne: Invented the essay style, advocated for educational reform, promoted skepticism (challenging knowledge claims), and believed openness improves learning.
• Lorenzo Valla: Exposed the Donation of Constantine forgery, compared biblical translations, challenged Scholastic-Aristotelian views, used a linguistic approach.

Humanism

• Definition: A Renaissance cultural movement emphasizing classical Greek/Roman values (reason, justice, ethics).
• Focus: Humans, their values, abilities, and individual worth; humanists believed individuals could improve the world.

Middle Ages Christianity vs. Renaissance Humanism

• Middle Ages Christianity: Emphasized survival over beauty.
• Renaissance Humanism: Prioritized experiencing human potential and fulfillment.

Patrons

• Definition: Individuals providing financial and other support to people, organizations, or causes.

Benevolence

• Definition: Desire to do good for others, goodwill, kindness.

Italian City-States

• Genoa: Important seaport (natural harbor), birthplace of Columbus, traded heavily. Byzantine Empire was part of their trading route. Marco Polo imported goods to Italy.
• Venice: Powerful trading power, considered "queen".
• Florence: Renaissance birth place and center of wool trade, used gold coin currency used widely. The Medici family were significant patrons.

Protestant Reformation (Martin Luther)

• Time Period: 16th century.
• Event: Religious revolution against the Church.
• Criticisms: Corruption perceived within the Church.
• Indulgences: Selling forgiveness for sins.
• 95 Theses: Luther's criticisms, nailed to a church door in 1517.
• Outcome: Church executed him in 1521, expanded access to the Bible (translated from Latin).

Age of Exploration

• Alternative Names: Age of Discovery, maritime trade expansion
• Motivation: Capitalizing on sea trade, new technology and exploration driven by need (necessity).
• Key Figures: Prince Henry, Portuguese explorers (greatest technological strides), Christopher Columbus, Cabot, Cartier.
• Techniques: Portuguese used cannons for small-forces battles, explored Indian Ocean (first).
• Result: Portugal's rise from poor to rich nation.

European Expansionism

• Explorers: Bartholomew Dias, Columbus, Giovanni Caboto, and Jacques Cartier are key figures.
• Techniques: Portuguese used cannons for military advantage
• Portugal: First European country to organize exploration
• Impact: Exploration by Portuguese fleets extended to the Indian Ocean.

Imperialism, Expansionism, and Colonialism

• Imperialism: Conquest & domination through economic, political, and social control.
• Motivations: The 3 Gs: God, Gold, and Glory.
• Expansionism: Expanding territories and power.
• Colonialism: Policy of creating and maintaining colonies.

Test your knowledge about key Renaissance philosophers and their contributions to the study of knowledge and truth. This quiz covers influential figures such as Petrarch, Erasmus, Budé, and Montaigne, highlighting their roles and ideas during the Renaissance period.