Humanism and the Renaissance
Humanism and the RenaissanceHumanism and the Renaissance
The Random House Dictionary of the English Language defines humanism as "1. Any system or mode of thought or action in which human interests, values, and dignity are taken to be of primary importance, as in moral judgments. 2. Devotion to or study of the humanities. 3. The studies, principles, or culture of the Humanists." But the true definition of humanism cannot be relegated to dictionary text alone; it must be expanded upon to include its origins and historical significance. The ancient Greeks and Romans first developed the idea of humanism as a very simplistic idea- to achieve excellence in life through one's own accomplishments and endeavors.
For hundreds of years, this was the primary definition of humanism. That all changed during the fourteenth century. A rebirth in an interest in things classical or ancient Greek and Roman encompassed geographic areas spanning from Italy to northern Europe. This movement became known as the Renaissance. The Renaissance incorporated ideas from the past with renewed passions in science, history, poetry, languages, and, most importantly, religion. Mirroring the ideas and theories of this era, new definitions of humanism were formulated during the Renaissance.
Giovanni Pico della Mirandola typified the mindset of the fifteenth century humanist. As one of the most brilliant scholars of his time, Pico della Mirandola was proficient in Latin, Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, and Chaldee. This knowledge of languages enabled him to be extremely well read in original versions of ancient Greek and Arabic texts as well as the Holy Bible. Pico della Mirandola practiced both Renaissance and Classical humanism. He focused on the relation of the human to the divine, seeing in human beings the summit and purpose of God's creation. Renaissance humanists were concerned about defining the human's place in God's plan and the relation of the human to the divine. Pico della Mirandola's Oration on the Dignity of Man epitomizes his humanist rational. In Oration, he cites sources ranging from Plato to Aristotle: "�There I read the same things which we read every day in the pages of Paul and of Dionysius, Jerome and Augustine. In philosophical matters, it were as though one were listening to Pythagoras and Plato �" Adapting Greek ideas, thinking, and accomplishments to one's own Christian life was a characteristic of Classical humanism. Throughout Oration, Pico della Mirandola emphasized man's free will and his right to choice. Before the Renaissance, it had been held that man occupied a definite place in the Great Chain of Being. Pico della Mirandola, however, challenged the position of man in the world. He asserted that God had first created all forms of existence except man and giving them each a place in the chain. Man He created last- with no place in the great chain of being- free to find his own place:
I have placed you...
To view the complete essay, you be registered.