Humanism in the Renaissance PDF

Humanism in the Renaissance Topics The Definition of Humanism How Humanism Developed? How Humanism Changed Individual Independence? Renaissance Humanism Renaissance The Renaissance is generally dated from approximately 1450 to 1600. Renaissance means “rebirth,” and during this period, the...

Humanism in the Renaissance Topics The Definition of Humanism How Humanism Developed? How Humanism Changed Individual Independence? Renaissance Humanism Renaissance The Renaissance is generally dated from approximately 1450 to 1600. Renaissance means “rebirth,” and during this period, the tendency was to go back to the more open-minded method of inquiry that had characterized early Greek philosophy. It was a time when Europe gradually switched from being God-centered to being human-centered. Gradually, church dogma was replaced by the very thing it had opposed the most—the direct observation of nature without the intervention of theological considerations. This transition, although steady, was slow and painful. Renaissance Several factors are The human Humanist philosophy believed responsible capacity to reason stressed the human for this reawakening of was focused potential to act upon the the spirit of objective everywhere, including world and change it for inquiry. on church dogma. the better.  The Definition of Humanism The term humanism, as it applies to the Renaissance, does not mean “humanitarianism.” It does not refer to a deep concern about the welfare of humans. Nor does it refer to humaneness—treating one’s fellow humans with respect, sensitivity, and dignity. As it applies to the Renaissance, humanism denotes an intense interest in human beings, as if we were discovering ourselves for the first time. During this time, interest was focused on a wide range of human activities. How do we think, behave, and feel? Of what are we capable?  The Definition of Humanism 1 2 3 It was an overreaching social It is the belief that man Life here on Earth and intellectual philosophies has beauty, worth, and should be cherished of the Renaissance era, in dignity. (loved) rather than which the beauty of the simply endured (suffer individual was elevated patiently). to preeminence (primacy). The Definition of Humanism It is a philosophical and Renaissance ethical stance that It prefers critical thinking Humanism was the study emphasizes the value and and evidence over of ancient Greek and agencies of human beings acceptance of dogma or Roman texts with the goal individually and superstition. of promoting new norms collectively. and values in society.  Renaissance Renaissance humanism had four major themes: a belief in the potential of the individual, an insistence that religion be more personal and less institutionalized, an intense interest in the classics, and a negative attitude toward Aristotle’s philosophy. The humanists did much to break the authority of the organized church and of Aristotle’s philosophy; this had to happen before a scientific attitude could develop. Although the Renaissance was a troubled time, it was a time of great curiosity and creativity. As the power of the church deteriorated, inquiry became increasingly objective because findings no longer needed to fit church dogma.  Renaissance humanism had four major themes Individualism. There was great concern with human potential and achievement. The belief in the power of the individual (as opposed to the church or the state) to make a positive difference in the world created a spirit of optimism. Personal religion. Although all Renaissance humanists were devout Christians, they wanted religion to be more personal and less formal and ritualistic. They argued for a religion that could be personally experienced rather than one that the church hierarchy imposed on the people.  Renaissance humanism had four major themes Intense interest in the past. The Renaissance humanists became enamored with the past. The works of the early Greek and Roman poets, philosophers, and politicians were of special interest. Renaissance scholars wanted to read what the ancients had really said, instead of an “official” interpretation. Anti-Aristotelianism. Aristotle’s philosophy, along with Christian theology, had been used to create a set of rules, regulations, and beliefs that one had to accept in order to be a Christian. Accepting church dogma became more important than one’s personal relationship with God; therefore, the humanists attacked church dogma harshly.  How Humanism Developed During the Middle Ages, between about the 3rd and 13th centuries, life and culture were primarily focused on the Church and religion. However, toward the beginning of the 14th century, the power of the Church began to greatly decline. This decline is the main reason for the development of humanism. During this period people became less interested in thinking about God, the afterlife, and the saints. They were more interested in thinking about themselves, their natural world, and the here and now. How Humanism Developed As the power of the Church began to decline, humanism grew in popularity. Many historians believe there were two main causes of this decline: The plague (ravaged Europe and killed over half of many countries' populations). The rise of market economy The Plague was an infectious disease that caused over 50 million deaths (Black Death) in Europe during the fourteenth century. As the Plague devastated and destroyed, the Church was helpless to stop it. People prayed, and people filled cathedrals, yet loved ones continued to die. This led many to disenchantment, causing them to seek out other explanations beyond the spiritual for human suffering and loss.  How Humanism Developed The second, and perhaps most profound reason for the decline of the Church, was the rise of the market economy. As money began to be amassed through trade, the power of the Church declined even more. All in all, the Church became too stuffy, too impractical, and too rigid; thus, it was replaced with the secular human's capacity to learn, create, and especially, enjoy! In short, it was replaced with the idea of humanism, where the study of human progress and human nature is at the center of all things.  How Humanism Changed Individual Independence First, humanism radically changed the idea of individual independence. Prior to the 14th century, much of Europe, and especially Northern Europe, practiced the feudal system in which wealth was based on land ownership. Serfs, or the poor workers, were tools used by the wealthy to work their land holdings and keep their wealth intact. The Church believed that to be concerned with yourself and your rights was nothing more than arrogance, rebellion, and sin! One should only be concerned with obeying the rules and following them without question. Prior to the 14th century, wealth was based on land ownership and the poor had to work the land Monarch Noble/Lord Knight (soldier) Peasant Serf How Humanism Changed Individual Independence The plague and the rise of trade paved way for the power of the Church and feudalism to shrank. Man and human nature were no longer seen as totally sinful and in need of punishment but instead as independent, beautiful, and individual creations of God. This is particularly seen in the writings of Petrarch, the Father of Humanism, in which he states, 'Sameness is the mother of disgust, variety the cure!,' or in other words, 'Go on and express yourself!’ Petrarch was born in 1304 in the town of Arezzo, which is today’s part of the Italian region of Tuscany. As a scholar, Petrarch was an avid (keen) collector of Classical texts. He spent lots of his time reading and translating major Greek and Roman works that had not been read for almost a millennium. Petrarch's Renaissance Role Around the 14th century, Europe was starting to transition out of the Medieval period into a new era of education and art, and several notable scholars and artists played an important part in sparking that change. One of those was Francesco Petrarca, or Petrarch, a 14th- century Italian poet whose works helped inspire some of the core tenets of the Renaissance. Most notable, perhaps, was his obsession with the Classical writings of ancient Greece and Rome.  Petrarch's Renaissance Role Petrarch’s deep appreciation of Classical knowledge, his emphasis on human rationalism and critical thinking, and his tendency to challenge the medieval traditions of the Catholic Church set the foundations for the movement of humanism, a philosophy that dominated Renaissance thinking.  Renaissance Humanism People during the feudal period of the Dark Ages have felt either marginalized or completely forgotten. But the enlightenment of the Renaissance period freed minds and helped advance scientific knowledge in Europe. New concepts of thought, art, and economics totally transformed European life, starting in Italy and spreading elsewhere. It is a French word which means ‘Rebirth’ of classical Greece and Rome Thus, the Renaissance began in Italy and moved to Northern Europe  Renaissance Humanism and Psychology With the rise of humanism, the study of the mind was advanced to a great degree. Many believe that the Renaissance period began when reproductions of Aristotelian texts gave rise to renewed psychological thought. From among the many ideas that marked renaissance period, two ideas were particularly prominent as it applies to psychology.  Prior to this period, social status was divinely appointed. Some people were born to be rulers, others to be merchants, and others to be servants. The Renaissance is thought to be a return to Greek Philosophical beliefs that discards divinity as the sources of human awareness and insists that people are self-aware and self-determinants. Thus, the Renaissance revived interest in individuals’ personality, setting the stage for the emergence of psychology in the 17th C., later became a science in the 19th C. Renaissance Humanism During the Renaissance period (between 14th and 17th C.) it was humanism that gave rise to anatomical and psychological study, which sought to find the seat of reason (or the mind). Humanist thinkers challenged the mindset of both the previously dominant school of scholarly thought, scholasticims, as well as the church. Scholasticism was a medieval school of philosophy that employed a critical method of philosophical analysis presupposed upon a Latin christian theistic paradigm from about 1100-1700. The Scholastic philosophers of the Middle Ages made little distinction between theology and philosophy.  Characteristics of Scholasticism It is best known for its application in medieval Christian theology, especially in attempts to reconcile the philosophy of the ancient classical philosophers (particularly Aristotle) with Christian theology. The main characteristics of Scholasticism: An acceptance of the prevailing Catholic orthodoxy. Within this orthodoxy, an acceptance of Aristotle as a greater thinker than Plato. Giving prominence to dialectical thinking and syllogistic reasoning. An acceptance of the distinction between "natural" and "revealed" theology (an inquiry into God reason or text). A tendency to dispute everything at great length and in minute detail, often involving word-play. Renaissance Humanism The intellectual and scholarly movement in Europe during the time Renaissance paved way to the rise of age of reason, the age of Enlightment during the 18th c. The key question during the Enlightment was that of moral authority: ‘Why should I do what the society tells me to do?’ This way the Renaissance humanism turned the focus of human inquiry away from God and heaven toward nature. However, it is criticized as being centered on the notion of the rational, autonomous self and ignoring the conditioned nature of the individual.  Summary Renaissance Mindset  Humanism  Pursuit of individualism  Recognition that humans are creative  Appreciation of arts as a product of human being  Basic culture needed for all Love of the classical past  Reference Tracy B. Henley (2017) Hergenhahn’s An introduction to the history of psychology (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.