Renaissance humanism
From Geography
Renaissance Humanism (Under construction)
Humanism is a school of thought that came into being during the Renaissance era in Italy. This era marked the end of the medieval era and with that the end of a period in which God was the centre of the cosmos and human action. Instead of God, man was put in the centre of human action. In this stream of thought man was capable of making its own actions and attaining its own knowledge. Man was free to investigate and experience the world around him, without being submitted to an all-powerful God by the Church. Science was considered to be a human action, and human senses were used in science to make empirical observations in science (Cloke, Philo & Sadler, 1991, p. 61).
Petrarca
Renaissance Humanism was founded by Fransesco Petrarca in the 14th century. His philosophy stated that the individual should be free to develop his freedom as he wishes, without interference of the Church or other any other institutions. He studied classical literature and was convinced that true humanity did not exist anymore in his time. With his Studia Humanitatis he wanted to recapture humanity as described in classical literature. By reintroducing humanity, as it was described in classical times, he hoped to make Italy and the rest of Europe civilized again. Petrarca wanted to change society to become more respectful to humans and humanity. In Medieval times God was considered to be more important than man, and man should live according to his principles. In practice this meant people had to live according to the Church’s principles, giving little freedom to individuals. The individual was subject to God. According to Petrarca humans should not be limited in developing personal freedom. Via his literary works he wanted to spread his school of thought across Europe, to introduce humanistic principles (Waszink, 1975, p. 57-63). He especially wanted to reform education and broaden it with physical and moral learning to foster personal freedom. Until then education was greatly influenced by the Church (Smith, n.d.).
References
Cloke, P., Philo, C., Sadler, D. (1991). Approaching Human Geography. Paul Chapman: Londen. Smith, R. (n.d.). The Humanism of the Renaissance. Vinddatum 5 september 2012, op http://www.all-about-renaissance-faires.com/renaissance_info/renaissance_and_humanism.htm Waszink, J.H. (1974). Fransesco Petrarca. Hermeneus, 46. 57-63.
Published by Bert Hegger
