Humanism AP European History Ms. Jennifer L. Blank Social Studies Department iMater Academy Petrarch Ficino Mirandola

Where did “the Humanities” come from? Renaissance Europe 1350 – 1550 Started in Italy Spread throughout Europe Reduced power of the church Humanism Focus on secular endeavors Focus on human ability & achievement De-emphasis of church authority & power Pro-God

The Renaissance Complete break from the Medieval Period Renaissance was anti-church, NOT anti-god Amazing explosion of human expression: fine art, literature, political theory A movement of the elite; most folks in Europe had no idea what was going on Development of the Modern-Nation State Humanism became the intellectual movement

2 Main Types of Humanism Secular Humanism Focused on physical world Intense belief in humanity’s capacity to achieve Christian Humanism Focused on the relationship between God, Humanity, & the physical world Shared the belief in humanity’s ability to achieve, but only possible through God

Beginnings of Humanism Early Humanism Formed by Monks Voluntary poverty was the center of true Christian conduct 14 th Century = scholarship shifted away from the Church to the hands of laymen Revived the classical studies of Greece and Rome No exclusive focus on God and religion More interested in human aspects such as culture, society, and values

Renaissance Humanism Curriculum based on Liberal studies: grammar, poetry, rhetoric, history, politics, and moral philosophy Study of the classics is path to virtuous and balanced lifestyle and personality Importance in human, not divine, matters Information gathered from source, not traditional Devoted majority of life to the discovery and practice of the classics Anti-”scholasticism”, which was the educational curriculum of the medieval times.

Religion Before Humanism Catholicism dominates people’s lives Criticism crushed No “other religions” hold any strength Catholic Church “monopolized” religion in Europe

Humanists on Religion Criticize the Catholic Church about mistakes, misinterpretations, and corruption Liberal knowledge was used to denounce church often in literary works that circulated Europe Criticize the Church’s written sources, such as the Vulgate, writings by the Church Fathers, and many other important religious documentation

How this affected individuals Catholic Church and her clergymen became more “exposed” and lost reverence Loses a lot of influence in the general populace’s daily life Lutherans began to acquire more ground Humanist works credited by later reformations

Society Before Humanism People acted like children; there was very little personal upkeep or manner expectations Women were excluded from many social “gatherings” Birth was the defining point for social standing and status Education and personal capability didn’t exist within the social developments of medieval society

Humanists on Society One should uphold personal manners and good- behavior Published guides and manuals for being a successful courtier Education and universal capability should contribute to social success

How this affected individuals Transformed society from “barbaric” to “civilized” Women introduced to balance male “manliness” with female “tenderness” Personal qualifications play greater role in status, giving initiate for “bettering oneself” Birth loses some substance Preceded gentry, forerunners

Humanists on Intellect Liberal arts introduced: grammar, poetry, rhetoric, history, politics and moral philosophy More practical, useful than scholasticism Education offered to wide audience Rekindled interest and influence of Greek and Roman classics Incorporated a necessity for literary truth, original and “uncorrupted” Desire to investigate info. at source creating large collections of original manuscripts Brought a greater purpose to learning: virtue and balance in life through study of classics

Intellect Before Humanism Educated men were clergymen “Schools” were places to learn about God and to spread his will Educational curriculum was scholasticism Abstract and unpracticed; useless Educational power was held by few, allowing manipulation of lay peoples

How this affected individuals No longer just clergymen Humanism replaced scholasticism New universities and humanist academies offer greater education As well as learning, students gain a greater virtuous and balanced personality With larger girth of education, powers less able to use it to manipulate subjects