1. Humanism I think therefore I am….
“The Quality of Being a Man” Human Human Being
Rodin “The Thinker”

2. “Man is the measure of all things”
“Being a Humanist means trying to behave decently without expectation of rewards or punishment after you are dead.”

3. What is Humanism????
system of thought attaching importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.
a Renaissance cultural movement which turned away from medieval learning and revived interest in ancient Greek and Roman thought.

4. A. Characteristics 1. Revival of antiquity (Greek and Rome)
2. Belief in individual and potential of humans
3. Embrace VIRTÚ “the quality of being a man” idea of excelling in all pursuits

5. 3. Focus on study of ancient languages
A. Latin, intially
B. Greek after Fall of Constantinople in 1453
C. Ancient texts translated by 1500
4 Roman authors – esp. Cicero, Virgil (Dante’s Inferno)
B. Greek writers – esp. Plato
C. Early Christian writers of New Testament

6. 5. LIBERAL ARTS: Grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, politics, and moral philosophy
6. Civic Humanism: ed. to prepare leaders
7. Humanism more secular and lay dominated

7. .

8. B. Major Figures 1. Petrarch – Father of Humanism 1300’s
First to have a Greek Roman library
Wrote love sonnets in
Used textual analysis of ancient texts.

9. 2. Boccacio – Compiled Greek and Roman mythology encycl.
A. Decameron most famous work
earthy tales
2. Wisdom on human character

10. 3. Leonard Bruni A. First to use term ‘humanism’
B. Imp. Civic Humanist
C. Writes history of Florence using PS material

11. 4. Lorenzo Valla A. Foremost expert on Latin lang.
B. On the False Donation of Constantine
1. Exposed 8th century fraud
2. Denies 4th century grant of territory
C. Points out errors in Latin Vulgate
1. Gives challengers ammunition
2. Ironically, he remains a devoted Catholic

12. 5. Pico della Mirandola A. Oration on the Dignity of Man
1. Most famous Ren. work on nature of humankind
2. Humans created by God and given tremendous potential for greatness, and even union with God if they desired it
3. Humans could also choose negative course. Thus, humans had FREE WILL to be great or fail.

13. 6. Baldassare Castiglione
A. The Book of the Courtier
1. Most important work on Ren. Education
2. Outlined qualities of a gentleman
3. Described ideal “Renaissance Man”
4. Medieval view = master in one area
5. Virtú