Thinkers and Society

1. Thinkers and Society

2. Introduction • Who affects thinking in our society today? How do they get their message across? • Renaissance humanists were the intellectual leaders in their communities • There were humanist scholars, philosophers, teachers, public officials, writers, scientists, architects, artists and musicians • Some had important jobs in government or the Church • They were able to affect many aspects of society

3. Civic Humanism • Renaissance humanists were very interested in what Classical authors wrote about good government • Cicero's idea that public service was everyone's duty was very influential • Civic humanists believed that being a responsible citizen meant educating yourself about history and political issues • People should work to improve society

4. For the Good of Society “I find we have spent a large sum of money from 1434 to 1471, as appears from an account book covering that period. It shows an incredible sum . . . spent in buildings, charities and taxes, not counting other expenses: not would I complain about this, for though many a man would like to have even part of that sum in his purse I think it gave great luster to the state and this money seems well spent.” - Lorenzo de Medici Q: How does this express civic humanism?

5. Humanist Education • Why do you study the subjects that you study? Who decided on them? • One of the most important ways that humanists influenced the Renaissance was their view on education • Leonardo Bruni wrote about a merchant who “never wasted time by loitering, but returned home after business and spent his time in studying Greek and Latin” • Many humanists were teachers who ran their own schools • Important to train a person's character as well as the mind and body • This approach is often called “educating the whole child” • They encouraged a curious, questioning attitude in their pupils

6. Humanist Subjects • The following were what was studied in the Middle Ages • Grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music, theology, scripture and medicine • Humanists added to these traditional subjects in the Renaissance • Greek and Roman writings, physical training, ethics and morality, aesthetics, manners and behaviour, history, eloquence

7. SOAPSTone! Universal Man • Read the primary source together as a class • Fill in the SOAPSTone chart in a small group • We will then discuss its relevance to the Humanist movement • What important humanist belief(s) does it represent? • Do you agree with what he is describing?

8. Humanism and Religion • The Classical texts that inspired the humanists were written before the beginning of Christianity • Although humanists emphasized the importance of history, art and individual achievement, religion continued to play an important part in their lives • Petrarch was a devote Christian • Desiderius Erasmus was the outstanding scholar of his time • “When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes” • He edited a new Greek version of the New Testament

9. Homework: Civic Humanism/8 • In Christianity, Judaism and Islam, anonymous charity is considered superior to charity in which the donor is identified • Using the above statement, answer the following questions: • 1) How does this statement reflect civic humanism? Explain the connection, making sure you refer to both civic humanism and the statement in your response. /4 • 2) Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not? Explain. Feel free to use examples to illustrate your response. /4