European History

Explain the ways in which Italian Renaissance humanism transformed ideas about the individual’s role in society.

Of all the practices during the European renaissance, nothing is used to distinguish the renaissance from the middle ages more than humanism as both a program and philosophy. Textbooks will tell you humanists of the renaissance rediscovered the Latin and Greek classics, that humanist philosophy stressed the dignity of humanity, and that humanists shifted intellectual emphasis off of theology and logic to specifically human studies. In pursuing this program, individualism, secularism, and a better education arose.
Individualism stressed personality, uniqueness, genius, and full development of one’s capabilities and talents. Poverty had been greatly respected, at least in Christian doctrine. However, voices were heard in praise of a proper enjoyment of wealth now. In the past, men admired a life of contemplation, or meditative withdrawal. Now Leonardo Bruni c...