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Humanism and Individuality - Coggle Diagram
Humanism and Individuality
Sara Mejia Guerra 1002
Definition of Humanism
Humanism the term generally applied to the overreaching social and intellectual philosophies of the Renaissance era, in which the beauty of the individual was elevated to preeminence. Humanism is the belief that man has beauty, worth and dignity, therefore life here on earth should be cherished rather than simply endured.
The decline of the Church
In the 3rd and 13th centuries life and culture were primarily focused on the church and religion. However in the 14th century the power of the church began to decline; the decline was the main reason for the development of humanism. People became less interested in thinking about God, afterlife and the saints. They became more interested in thinking about themselves and their surroundings.
Bubonic Plague
The first reason for the church decline was the bubonic plague. A plague which ravaged Europe and killed over half of many countries' populations. As the plague devastated and destroyed, the church was helpless to stop it; people prayed and filled cathedrals and yet there was no change. This caused disenchantment, making people to seek for other explanations beyond the spiritual.
Marked Economy
The second reason for the decline of the church was the rise of the market economy. As money began to be a master trade of power, the church declined. Rose city-states and monarchies governed over economy more than religion. The church became too stuffy, impractical and rigid. Church was replaced with humanism.
Individual Independence
Prior to the 14th century much of Europe and especially northern Europe, practiced the feudal system; system in which wealth was based on land ownership. People were seen as part of a collective whole. In order to keep feudal society poors / workers were tools used by the wealthy. Church believed that to be concerned with yourself and your rights was nothing more than arrogance rebellion. Thanks to the plague and the rise of trade the power, and the church and feudalism declined and the importance of the individual groom man rises. People were no longer seen as tools for the wealthy or objects of God's wrath, but instead as individuals created by God with their own unique way.
Individual Interests
Everything not centered around the church was considered as sinful. Humanism turned this idea completely on. Scholars artists and writers began centering their works in man rather than in religion and the afterlife. Humanism resurrected the ideals of the ancient Greeks, who placed the study and progress of human nature at the center of their interest. Thoughts were returned to the here and now, while the capacity of man was to live and enjoy was celebrated
Petrarch
Petrarch was the father of humanism, he said us humans need to go express ourselves.
Dante
Dante's Divine Comedy explains his individual journey to God rather than a journey to God through the church. This led many to be curious about a personal relationship with God rather than a religion sculpted by the church; interested in the human rather than the afterlife.
Bocaccio
Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio, is a humanistic writing where ten young people fleeing the Black Death, hideout in an abandoned villa and fill their days and nights by telling each other racy and torrid tales of love and romance; during a time of death and crisis. The author chooses not to have their interests turned toward the medieval church ideals of repentance and penance but instead to enjoy the moments in which they live.
Enjoyment of life
Humanism made individuals choose and enjoy the human story rather than the old church ideals of pain and punishment. It summarizes the beauty of the individual in the eyes of the humanist.