Humanism

A Curriculum on “The Quality of Being a Man”

A. Characteristics 1. Revival of

antiquity 2. Belief in

individual and potential of humans

3. Embrace VIRTÚ - “the quality of being a man” idea of excelling in all pursuits

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. Largely reject

Scholasticism in favor of: A. Favor Roman authors –

esp. Cicero, Virgil B. Greek writers – esp. Plato C. Early Christian writers of

New Testament

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

The seven liberal arts comprised two groups of studies: the trivium and the quadrivium. Studies in the trivium involved grammar, dialectic (logic), and rhetoric; and studies in the quadrivium involved arithmetic, music, geometry, and astronomy. The term liberal in liberal arts is from the Latin word liberalis, meaning "appropriate for free men" (social and political elites), and they were contrasted with the servile arts. The liberal arts thus initially represented the kinds of skills and general knowledge needed by the elite echelon of society, whereas the servile arts represented specialized tradesman skills and knowledge needed by persons who were employed by the elite. The seven liberal arts are part of the instruction of the Fellow Craft Degree.

B. Major Figures 1. Petrarch –

Father of Humanism A. Literature not

sub. to religion. B. “Dark Ages” =

time between fall of Roman Empire and Renaissance

C. Used textual analysis of ancient texts.

2. Boccacio – Compiled Greek and Roman mythology encycl. A. Decameron most

famous work 1. 100 earthy tales 2. Wisdom on human

character

3. Leonard Bruni A. First to use term

‘humanism’ B. Imp. Civic

Humanist C. Writes history of

Florence using PS material

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

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.

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