Transcript Education in the Renaissance

Intellect in the
Renaissance
Role of Humanism and the Rise of
the Individual
Meaning and Characteristics of
the Italian Renaissance
Renaissance = Rebirth
Key Terms of the Renaissance
Individualism ??
Emphasis on and interest in the unique traits of each
person
Secularism ??
The process of becoming more concerned with material,
worldly, temporal things and less with spiritual and religious
things.
Humanism ??
An intellectual movement in Ren. Italy based on the study of
the Greek and Roman classics.
The Individual
God-given ingenuity could/should unravel the
secrets of God’s universe
Man’s fate could be controlled and improved
Sense of liberation due to awareness of
human potential
Wisdom + Virtue =
Humanism
Virtú = man (vir)
•self-sufficient
•self-confident
•takes advantage of opportunities
Humanism & New Learning
• Cultivation of the liberal arts of antiquity
• Moral Philosophy, Grammar & Logic, Rhetoric,
Mathematics, Astronomy, Poetry & Music [vs.
scholasticism (medicine, law, theology)]
• Pietro Paolo Vergerio (1370-1444) freedom =
development of full potential
• Rise in biblical scholarship based on critical study of
original Hebrew and Greek texts
• Getting back to the beginnings without the help of the
clergy
• Vittorino da Feltre (Mantua, 1378-1446) sound mind
deserves sound body (physical education)
But what about girls???
What were they to study???
Humanism & Politics
•
cultivation of authors, such as Cicero, Homer,
Virgil
Leonardo Bruni, The New Cicero – glorification of
Cicero as politician + author; life of participation and
activity
ethics independent of Christianity – moral
greatness of individual and one’s ability to
discover truth & wisdom
Civic humanism: Humanists should be involved
in government and use their rhetorical training in
the service of the state.
(some more) Humanists
Francesco Petrarch, 1304-1374
• “Father of the Italian Renaissance”; first man of letters (litterae
humaniores )
• liberal education = “art of living” = life infused with ethical values
 “Christ is my God; Cicero is the prince of the language.”
Lorenzo Valla (1407-1457)
• The Elegances of the Latin Language
• Purification of medieval Latin, stress use of Latin over the vernacular,
identifies the growth stages of Latin
Baldesar Castiglione, 1478-1529
• The Courtier (conduct book for ideal courtier)
• Described the model Renaissance gentleman as one with artistic,
athletic, and intellectual skills (Renaissance Man)
Niccolo Machiavelli, 1468-1527
• The Prince, 1513