The Renaissance and the Reformation: 1300-1600

Chapter 6

Mechikoff /Estes, A History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education, Fourth Edition © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Renaissance and Reformation

Had a significant impact upon the church • Significant for how the body was viewed• Renaissance reintroduced Greek and

Roman thought to intellectual elite Church had to compete with philosophies,

literature, and paganism of ancient world

Renaissance and Reformation

The Reformation: an effort to reform the church

Church had become a political as opposed to a religious institution

Popes sought personal gain—not spiritual perfection

Renaissance/Reformation: Impact

The Renaissance was an intellectual reawakening Idealism of the Classics Concept of the Universal man

The Reformation was a religious reawakening Renaissance and Reformation were very

threatening to the church Church told people what to think in past Renaissance and Reformation would change this

Reformation

Henry VIII Fought wars for popes, went unrecognized Married several times

Wanted divorce that pope would not grant

Formed the Anglican church after renouncing Catholicism

Reformation

Beginning of Protestant religion Protestants different from Catholics Reformation resulted in “protest” against

Catholic church Became Protestant movement

Creation of Protestant religious beliefs Did not recognize supreme authority of Pope

Renaissance, Reformation, and Views of the Body Different theories/beliefs about the body

emerged Different attitudes about sport and physical

education developed Plato and Aristotle had a profound impact

during the Renaissance

Humanists Placed focus on secular concerns and

humans As opposed to “other worldly” concerns

Ancient Greeks believed that body played an important role in human existence Appealed to Renaissance way of thinking

The Renaissance Man: “One who uses the mind and body—the well-rounded individual”

Renaissance, Reformation, and Views of the Body Scholars and leaders of both viewed body

as more important than during Middle AgesHumanistic philosophyReformation thoughtReligious reformers argued that body housed

the soul “temple of the Holy Spirit”

Cultural Changes—The Renaissance Rebirth/revival of the classics

Europeans described writings of ancient Greeks and Romans as “The Classics”

Secular-humanistic influence on thought and culture Development of nations (apart from Church)

The Renaissance

Marble statue of David by Michelangelo,Florence, Italy. The sculpture portraysDavid as a muscular, Classical hero.

Philosophers and Educators of the Renaissance Petrus Paulus Vergerius (1370-1444)

One of first great Italian HumanistisSet forth basic ideas of humanist education

Education a matter of public interest Should create good citizens of the state Purpose of physical education is to prepare for

military; physical education is part of the education of the total individual

Philosophers and Educators of the RenaissanceVittorino da Feltre (1378-1446) Most famous Italian Humanist

Blended Christianity with the classics and Greek concepts of physical education

Believed in mind/body and Christian education Developed health of his students through mandatory

participation in physical activity—2 hours daily Devout Christian and humanist

Influenced by Plato

Philosophers and Educators of the Renaissance Aeneas Silvio Piccolomini (1405-1464)

Physical training for lifelong well-beingEmphasize skills for military proficiency

Baldassare Castiglione (1478-1529)Wrote The Courtier to teach young aristocrats

how to behavior at courtEmphasis on well-rounded courtier

Reformation

Advanced by writings of Erasmus, though Erasmus himself did not support the “extreme” views of Luther Erasmus criticized church as too political Promoted idea that people could interpret the

Bible on their own Became rebellion/protest against the political,

religious, and intellectual suppression by the Catholic church

Reformation

Wanted to return to true meaning of Christianity

Church of England, Lutherans, Calvinists believed they were “closer” to scriptural truth than Catholics

Philosopher and Educators of the Reformation William of Ockham (1270-1347) Did not like religious intellectual arguments

of Middle Ages and scholastics Developed own system of thought

Ockham’s razor: simplest answer to any question is probably the correct one

Attacked the intellectual and Christian foundations of the period

Reformation

Desiderius Erasmus (1469-1517)Key Humanist but also played a role in the

Reformation in northern EuropeUsed humanistic scholarship and literature to

criticize Catholic Church Advocated a program of education that did

not include physical education

Philosopher and Educators of the ReformationMartin Luther (1483-1546) Indulgences were wrong: Salvation is by faith Catholic church is the not the “middle man” Each person is responsible for self / own

salvation Paved way for much of democratic thought and

thoughts on universal education Luther advocated education for everyone

Religious education was most important

Reformation: Luther

Believed music, games, dancing were acceptable pastimes Not evil in themselves Practiced monastic lifestyle for a while Eventually rejected

Individuals have an obligation to take care of their body for spiritual and health reasons Allowed them to be hard workers Differed from the general medieval view of denying the body

to obtain spiritual purity

Reformation: Luther

ReformationJohn Calvin (1509-1564) Rejected humanist ideas and focus on this world Returned thoughts back to the next world (heaven) Theology: Predestination and Divine election

God in his sovereignty chooses some, not others Lifestyle tended to show where one stood Those focused on God spent more time at work

and prayer than sport and games

Reformation: John Calvin Time: cyclical view before Reformation Calvin argued for linear view

Each minute, hour, day is “God given” and must be productive

Play and sport were not seen as productive Physical education

Calvin’s beliefs impeded development of sport and physical education

Reformation: Calvin