Humanism

Humanism, one of the most characteristic intellectual movement of the Renaissance.It was an educational and cultural program based on the study of ancient Greek and Roman literature.The humanist attitude toward antiquity differed from that of medieval scholars, who had taken pains to fit classical learning into a Christian world-view. Renaissance humanists did not subordinate the classics to the requirements of Christian doctrines. Rather, they valued ancient literature for its own sake, for its clear and graceful style and for its insights into human nature. For the humanists, the classics were a guide to the good life, the active life. To achieve self-cultivation, to write well, to speak well, and to live well, it was necessary to know the classics. Italian humanists used classical learning to nourish their new interest in a worldly life.  Renaissance humanists increase the circulation of every Roman work that could be found and that lead to  the study of Greek.They often treated moral problems in a purely secular manner. Yet in dealing with religious and theological issues, they did not challenge Christian belief or question the validity of the Bible.They stressed  on the direct study of the Bible and the writings of the church fathers. 

The humanists, however, stressed the importance of human actions and human will in history, the importance of people  as active participants in the shaping of events.The humanist emphasis on historical scholarship yielded a method of  critical inquiry that could help to undermine traditional loyalties and institutions.In contrast, Renaissance humanists approached ancient civilization with a critical attitude; they studied texts in a historical context and examined them for authenticity and accuracy.


Petrarch (1304–1374) one of the early humanists, called the father of humanism.

Erasmus(1466–1536) was another humanist who made Renaissance humanism an international movement.Erasmian humanism stressed toleration, kindness, and respect for human rationality. 

Francois Rabelais (1494–1553), a former monk,who spread the humanist spirit in France. In response to religious dogmatism, he asserted the essential goodness of the individual and the right to enjoy the world rather than being bound by the fear of a punishing God. 

Sir Thomas More (1478–1535)one of the most influential humanist of the early English Renaissance, was studied at Oxford. His impact came from both his writing and his career. Trained as a lawyer, he was a successful civil servant and member of Parliament. His most famous book is Utopia,the first major utopian treatise to be written in the West.Utopia consider as one of the most original works of the entire Renaissance