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Humanism
What’s the big idea(s)?
What is Humanism?What was its influence and
significance?How was Humanism a
reflection of the notion of “Renaissance?
Aspects of Renaissance
Dignity of humankind
Individualism
Secular as valuable or of import
Development of historical scholarship
Humanism as an Intellectual Pursuit
Study of Latin and Greek classics for their own sake and preservation of church
Liberal arts:grammar
rhetoric
poetry
history
politics &
moral philosophy
Humanism as having Social Application
Aim to apply liberal arts to an in-the-world purpose
Civic Humanism
Christian Humanism
Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374)
“Father of Humanism”
Scholar
Read Cicero & commentary
Coined the term “Dark Ages”
Author:
Letters to the Ancient Dead
Lives of Illustrious Men
Petrarch continuedFirst modern writer
used writing “to consider the ebb and flow of his life and the human condition.”
Giovanni Bocaccio (1313-1375)From Florence
“Decameron”
100 tales of the human condition
10 each told by 7 women and 3 males
Also assembled encyclopedia of Greek and Roman mythology
Dante AlighieriVita Nuova
Divine Comedy
Inferno
Lorenzo VallaPhilologist-the use of words & language
Sees a God as Creator
Denounced authenticity of “Donation of Constantine”
Argued for notion of Free Will
Questioned levels of obedience and asceticism in religious orders
Leonardo Bruni 1370-1444
Chancellor of Republic of Florence
Wrote first modern history
History of the Florentine People
narrative account of Florence
Use of authentic sources
Discussion of other historical periods as context
Niccolo MachiavelliThe Prince (1513) a Political Science work observing how governments rule without morals (dedicated to Lorenzo Medici)
Italian City-States as models
“The end justifies the means”
“It’s better to be feared than loved”
Baldassare Castiglione 1478-1529
Wrote The Book of the Courtier
Gentleman raised for civil company
poised and well-dressed
skilled in arms and sports
capable of making music, conversation
reader of the classics
good
The Book of the Courtier, continued
Social mixer who is good-humored, light-hearted and considerate of others’ feelings
What were the Humanists’ aspirations?