Renaissance Humanism is what inspired the creativity during this time period. From Humanism came Humanities (studia humanitatis) which is the study of classical culture and a group of subjects. These studies include poetry, grammar, speech, ethics, and history. They were focused on scholastic training that would allow more professions and opportunities. Because this new movement encouraged individuals to depend on themselves as opposed to "God's plan", Renaissance Humanists became more involved in politics, education, and their responsibilities as citizens. Humanists were typically more open-minded and were less concerned with the past and more concerned with their future and what they could take from the past to better their future.
Francesco Pertrarca, better known as Petrarch, was one of the earliest humanists and was often called the "Father of Humanism." He believed that God had given humans potential intellectually and creatively so that they could use it to its fullest. Petrarch found it extremely important to educate oneself of human thought and action by studying ancient history and literature. He was a devout Catholic man who didn't see a conflict between humanity's potential and his faith in God. He had a desire to improve the world and also admired the world of antiquity.
Taking Petrarch's lead, scholars during the 14th century were collecting and studying ancient works. The humanism philosophy was spreading through Italy and other parts of Europe. Because different parts of Europe had different histories, their versions of humanism varied. Italian humanists identified more with Rome when Northern Europeans held stronger ties to Christianity.
Today, Humanism is still practiced. Humanism has been argued to be a religion by some Humanists and from this argument, 3 groups of humanists have developed.
Reglious Humanism, which combines humanism with religious rituals.
Secular Humanism, which suggests humans can be ethical/moral without religion.
and those who view Humanism as a life stance.
"Humanists are divided into two camps... according to how they respond to the word "religion". Do they... respond negatively or positively? The ferocity of the antipathy on the one hand, and the power of the concern on the other, that is generated by this word quite obliterates reasoned discussion of many substantial and important questions on how we should develop Humanism. Likewise, our discussions with the god-religious are confused and frustrated. We need a new term for the idea and ideal of religion, opened out so that it is not discriminatory. Let this be "life stance". Could we, perhaps, bury the hatchet of "religion" and work together?" Stopes-Roe
Click here to see even more types of humanists.
The future of humanities? It is known as Digital Humanities,which combines traditional humanities with computing tools to integrate technology into the study.
(This video is lengthy, but it gives a good idea of how the future of Digital Humanities would work, other samples are available here)
We continue to study ancient language, literature, religion, art forms, history, and philosophy through these academic disciplines known as Humanities.
As time marches on more history will be collected to be studied by future humanities scholars, languages will continue to be analyzed, new laws, literature and art will be created, philosophy and religion will press on and so will the study of Humanities that was imagined during the Renaisannce period and will continue for as long as the world creates history.
Humanists will also continue to search for their purpose on Earth and our individual responsibility create our own path.
For more on Humanism, visit the American Humanist Association website!
No comments:
Post a Comment