The Renaissance and the Reformation: 1300-1600 Chapter 6 Mechikoff /Estes, A History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education, Fourth Edition © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Renaissance and Reformation Had a significant impact upon the church Significant for how the body was viewed Renaissance reintroduced Greek and Roman thought to intellectual elite Church had to compete with philosophies, literature, and paganism of ancient world

Renaissance and Reformation The Reformation: an effort to reform the church Church had become a political as opposed to a religious institution Popes sought personal gain—not spiritual perfection

Renaissance/Reformation: Impact The Renaissance was an intellectual reawakening Idealism of the Classics Concept of the Universal man The Reformation was a religious reawakening Renaissance and Reformation were very threatening to the church Church told people what to think in past Renaissance and Reformation would change this

Reformation Henry VIII Fought wars for popes, went unrecognized Married several times Wanted divorce that pope would not grant Formed the Anglican church after renouncing Catholicism

Reformation Beginning of Protestant religion Protestants different from Catholics Reformation resulted in “protest” against Catholic church Became Protestant movement Creation of Protestant religious beliefs Did not recognize supreme authority of Pope

Renaissance, Reformation, and Views of the Body Different theories/beliefs about the body emerged Different attitudes about sport and physical education developed Plato and Aristotle had a profound impact during the Renaissance

Humanists Placed focus on secular concerns and humans As opposed to “other worldly” concerns Ancient Greeks believed that body played an important role in human existence Appealed to Renaissance way of thinking The Renaissance Man: “One who uses the mind and body—the well-rounded individual”

Renaissance, Reformation, and Views of the Body Scholars and leaders of both viewed body as more important than during Middle Ages Humanistic philosophy Reformation thought Religious reformers argued that body housed the soul “temple of the Holy Spirit”

Cultural Changes—The Renaissance Rebirth/revival of the classics Europeans described writings of ancient Greeks and Romans as “The Classics” Secular-humanistic influence on thought and culture Development of nations (apart from Church)

The Renaissance Marble statue of David by Michelangelo, Florence, Italy. The sculpture portrays David as a muscular, Classical hero. Marble statue of David by Michelangelo (Florence, Italy) Image source: Royalty-Free/CORBIS, courtesy of McGraw-Hill Higher Education

Philosophers and Educators of the Renaissance Petrus Paulus Vergerius (1370-1444) One of first great Italian Humanistis Set forth basic ideas of humanist education Education a matter of public interest Should create good citizens of the state Purpose of physical education is to prepare for military; physical education is part of the education of the total individual

Philosophers and Educators of the Renaissance Vittorino da Feltre (1378-1446) Most famous Italian Humanist Blended Christianity with the classics and Greek concepts of physical education Believed in mind/body and Christian education Developed health of his students through mandatory participation in physical activity—2 hours daily Devout Christian and humanist Influenced by Plato

Philosophers and Educators of the Renaissance Aeneas Silvio Piccolomini (1405-1464) Physical training for lifelong well-being Emphasize skills for military proficiency Baldassare Castiglione (1478-1529) Wrote The Courtier to teach young aristocrats how to behavior at court Emphasis on well-rounded courtier

Reformation Advanced by writings of Erasmus, though Erasmus himself did not support the “extreme” views of Luther Erasmus criticized church as too political Promoted idea that people could interpret the Bible on their own Became rebellion/protest against the political, religious, and intellectual suppression by the Catholic church

Reformation Wanted to return to true meaning of Christianity Church of England, Lutherans, Calvinists believed they were “closer” to scriptural truth than Catholics

Philosopher and Educators of the Reformation William of Ockham (1270-1347) Did not like religious intellectual arguments of Middle Ages and scholastics Developed own system of thought Ockham’s razor: simplest answer to any question is probably the correct one Attacked the intellectual and Christian foundations of the period

Reformation Desiderius Erasmus (1469-1517) Key Humanist but also played a role in the Reformation in northern Europe Used humanistic scholarship and literature to criticize Catholic Church Advocated a program of education that did not include physical education

Philosopher and Educators of the Reformation Martin Luther (1483-1546) Indulgences were wrong: Salvation is by faith Catholic church is the not the “middle man” Each person is responsible for self / own salvation Paved way for much of democratic thought and thoughts on universal education Luther advocated education for everyone Religious education was most important

Reformation: Luther Believed music, games, dancing were acceptable pastimes Not evil in themselves Practiced monastic lifestyle for a while Eventually rejected Individuals have an obligation to take care of their body for spiritual and health reasons Allowed them to be hard workers Differed from the general medieval view of denying the body to obtain spiritual purity

Reformation: Luther Statue of Martin Luther in Worms Image source: Emma Lee/Life File/Getty Images

Reformation John Calvin (1509-1564) Rejected humanist ideas and focus on this world Returned thoughts back to the next world (heaven) Theology: Predestination and Divine election God in his sovereignty chooses some, not others Lifestyle tended to show where one stood Those focused on God spent more time at work and prayer than sport and games

Reformation: John Calvin Time: cyclical view before Reformation Calvin argued for linear view Each minute, hour, day is “God given” and must be productive Play and sport were not seen as productive Physical education Calvin’s beliefs impeded development of sport and physical education

Reformation: Calvin Portrait of John Calvin Image source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.