Renaissance Humanism

Renaissance humanism was an intellectual and philosophical movement that developed during the Renaissance period between the 15th and 16th centuries.

Anthropocentrism, which places man at the center of the world, was the concept behind this philosophical thought.

In literature, humanism represents a transitional phase between troubadourism and classicism, or even the second medieval period.

Rebirth

The Renaissance was an artistic and philosophical movement that began in the 15th century on the Italian Peninsula and that gradually spread across the European continent.

This new worldview emerges when the feudal system begins to wear thin. Land starts to lose value and commerce will be the most profitable activity. With commercial growth comes a new social class, the bourgeoisie and the renaissance reflects these changes.

At the same time, with the revaluation of the texts of Classical Antiquity, science gains a new impetus. The research of scientists such as Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, etc., came to confront various dogmas of the Catholic Church, which gradually lost influence, especially with the Protestant Reformation.

We can see that the Renaissance is an important period of social, cultural, political and economic transformations, which influenced the mentality of the time.

Protestant Reformation

The Protestant Reformation began in the 16th century and was a movement that altered the religious map of Europe.

Martin Luther, a monk and professor of Theology, was its precursor, when he published 95 theses criticizing some practices preached by the Church, such as the sale of indulgences.

This movement spread to different parts of Europe, especially in Germany, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries.

Even before the publication of Luther's 95 theses, the Catholic Church was already beginning to reform within itself. This would culminate in the Council of Trent and would be known as the Catholic Reformation.

Abstract:Humanistic Philosophy

Humanism was an intellectual movement that manifested itself in the arts and philosophy. Humanist philosophers aimed to bring up questions related to the human universe, moving away from the theocentric thinking of the previous era, the Middle Ages.

It is, therefore, the breaking of paradigms, thus seeking a new way of seeing the world, based on several questions made by the philosophers of the time.

With the evolution of scientism, as well as the empiricist current, the truth began to emanate not only from God, but also from human beings, who think and reflect on their condition in the world.

In the area of ​​education, the expansion of several schools and universities were essential for the spread of Renaissance humanism. Disciplines such as philosophy, Greek language, poetry were included, and thus, the expansion of humanism across Europe takes place.

The invention of the Press in the 15th century by the German Johannes Gutemberg, was fundamental to spread knowledge, facilitating access to various humanist works.

Individualism

Individualism was one of the main characteristics of Renaissance humanism, as it brought to the fore issues related to the individuality of human beings, as well as their emotions.

In this way, the human being is placed at the center of the world and from there, its importance as an agent of change is highlighted, endowed, therefore, with intelligence.

In the meantime, and rejecting medieval values ​​based on religion, the humanist man is individualistic and ready to make his choices in the world (free will). He thus becomes a critical human being.

Main humanist philosophers and intellectuals

• Francesco Petrarch
• Giovanni Boccaccio
• Erasmus of Rotterdam
• Michel de Montaigne
• Giovanni Pico della Mirandola
• Marsilio Ficino
• Gasparino Barzizza
• Francesco Barbaro
• George of Trebizond
• Guarino de Verona

Characteristics of Humanism

• Anthropocentrism
• Scientism
• Rationalism
• Empiricism
• Return to Classical Antiquity
• Valuing the human being

Complement your studies with this video:

Complement your research by reading the articles :

• Humanism
• Anthropocentrism
• The Language of Humanism
• Characteristics of Humanism
• Renaissance:Characteristics and Historical Context
• Characteristics of the Renaissance
• Artists of the Renaissance
• What is humanism?