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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.
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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 continued • First 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 Alighieri • Vita Nuova • Divine Comedy • Inferno
Lorenzo Valla • Philologist-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 Machiavelli • The 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