Renaissance Philosophy: Humanism, Science, and Intellectual Transformation

The Dawn of Modern Philosophy

Renaissance Thought, spanning from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century, marked the pivotal transition from medieval to modern philosophy. It was profoundly characterized by a humanistic turn.

From Divine to Human Focus

During this period, God and Christianity ceased to be the sole central points of thought, giving rise to humans as the primary focus. Concurrently, the Church began to lose its exclusive authority in intellectual matters.

Medieval Roots and Renaissance Reactions

The early Middle Ages had limited knowledge of Greek sources, and the period was largely influenced by the Platonism of St. Augustine's extensive work, and to a lesser extent, the Stoics, Skeptics, and Epicureans. However, the late Middle Ages was characterized by a marked Aristotelianism, which accommodated Scholasticism.

Challenging Scholasticism: Science and Faith

In the fourteenth century, some philosophers, reacting against Scholasticism, proposed a separation between the domain of science and of faith. This intellectual shift also gave rise to the famous Theory of Two Truths.

Humanism: A Defining Movement

Another significant movement that challenged Scholasticism and defined the Renaissance was Humanism. In philosophical terms, Humanism contributed a number of treatises and dialogues on:

• Moral issues
• Educational issues
• Political issues
• Religious issues

Alternative Renaissance Philosophies

While humanism shifted focus, the religious issue did not cease to be vital for all. This was evident in other schools of thought also present during the Renaissance, such as Neoplatonism and the magical and mystical traditions, in which the dignity of man depended on his relationship with God. The aim of Neoplatonism was to deploy a new interpretation and understanding of Christianity. Key figures championed the revival of Platonism in philosophy.

Humanist Education and Civic Responsibility

Humanists concluded that individuals are solely responsible for the good or evil that occurs. They believed every citizen had opportunities to participate actively in political life. They emphasized the need for adequate education, focusing on the study of rhetoric (seen as practical wisdom) and ancient philosophy.

The Copernican Revolution

Nicolaus Copernicus conceived and announced the central idea of his system: heliocentrism. He rejected the mathematical error that had placed Earth at the center of the world. His arguments challenged traditional astronomy and cosmology, demonstrating the superiority of heliocentrism over the geocentric model, thereby revolutionizing astronomy.