Humanism

1. Humanism See Chapter 12 Sections 2 and 3 (p. 382-384 and 389-390

2. Italian Renaissance Humanism • A key intellectual movement of the Renaissance was humanism. • Humanism was based on the study of the classics, the literary works of ancient Greece & Rome such as grammar, rhetoric, poetry, moral philosophy, and history. • Petrarch has been called the father of Italian Renaissance humanism. • Petrarch did more than any other individual to foster the development of humanism. • Began the humanist emphasis on pure classical Latin (Latin as used by the ancient Romans)

3. Italian Renaissance Humanism Continued… • Humanists used the works of Cicero as a model for prose & those of Virgil for poetry. • In Florence, the humanist movement took a new direction at the beginning of the 15th century. • New interest in civic life. • Believed that it was the duty of an intellectual to live an active life for one’s state. • The study of humanities should be put to the service of the state.

4. Vernacular Literature & Education in the Renaissance • The humanist emphasis on classical Latin led to its widespread use in the writings of scholars, lawyers, & theologians. • Some writers wrote in the vernacular- the languages spoken in their own region- such as Italian, French, or German. • In the 14th century, the works of Italian author Dante and the English author Geoffrey Chaucer helped make vernacular literature more popular. • Dante’s masterpiece is the Divine Comedy and Chaucer’s most famous work is The Canterbury Tales.

5. Vernacular Literature & Education in the Renaissance • Humanist movement had a profound effect on education, believing that education could dramatically change human beings. • At the core of humanist schools were the liberal studies. (Today we call these liberal arts) • History • Moral Philosophy • Eloquence or rhetoric • Letters (Grammar & Logic) • Poetry • Mathematics • Astronomy • Music • Following the Greek ideal of a sound mind in a sound body, humanist educators stressed physical education, such as javelin throwing, archery, swimming, dancing, running, and hunting. • Its aim was to create complete citizens. • Model for the basic education of the European ruling classes until the 20th century. • Few females attended; Religion & morals should be foremost so they could become good wives & mothers.

6. Erasmus & Christian Humanism • During the second half of the 15th century, the new classical learning that was part of the Italian Renaissance humanism spread to Northern Europe. • From that came a movement called Christian Humanism, or Northern Renaissance humanism. • The major goal of this movement was the reform of the Catholic Church. • Christian humanists believed that in order to change society , they must first change the human beings who make it up. • The best known of all Christian humanists was Desiderius Erasmus.

7. Christian Humanism & Erasmus • Erasmus stressed the inwardness of religious feeling. • To reform the church, Erasmus wanted to spread the philosophy of Christ, provide education in the works of Christianity, and criticize the abuses in the Church. • Humorously criticized aspects that he believed were in most need of reform. • Sought reform within the Catholic Church. • His ideas prepared the way for the Reformation.