what does HUMANISM mean in the sense of the Reniassance era?

Question

humanism derives clearly from the word 'human' so humanism is what in respect to Renaissance.

so does that mean they stopped believing in God and religion? and said that they rather live without religion and faith and do something for themselves to get further in life? is this what they did? did they abandon religion and spirit? so where does HUMANISM come in? how? what?

Answer 1

The secular culture and intellectual movement of the renaissance that spread throughout Europe as a result of the rediscovery of the arts and philosophy of the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Answer 2

This really is a can of worms you wish to open. The word "humanism" has a number of meanings, and because authors and speakers often don't clarify which meaning they intend, those trying to explain humanism can easily become a source of confusion. Fortunately, each meaning of the word constitutes a different type of humanism -- the different types being easily separated and defined by the use of appropriate adjectives.

Literary Humanism is a devotion to the humanities or literary culture.

Your answer lies in Renaissance Humanism - the spirit of learning that developed at the end of the middle ages with the revival of classical letters and a renewed confidence in the ability of human beings to determine for themselves truth and falsehood.

Don't confuse it with Cultural Humanism - the rational and empirical tradition that originated largely in ancient Greece and Rome, evolved throughout European history, and now constitutes a basic part of the Western approach to science, political theory, ethics, and law.

Modern life tends to think more in the terms of Philosphical Humanism is any outlook or way of life centered on human need and interest. Sub-categories of this type include Christian Humanism and Modern Humanism.

Christian Humanism is a philosophy advocating the self- fulfillment of man within the framework of Christian principles." This more human-oriented faith is largely a product of the Renaissance and is a part of what made up Renaissance humanism.

Modern Humanism, also called Naturalistic Humanism, Scientific Humanism, Ethical Humanism and Democratic Humanism is defined as "a naturalistic philosophy that rejects all supernaturalism and relies primarily upon reason and science, democracy and human compassion." Modern Humanism has a dual origin, both secular and religious, and these constitute its sub-categories.

Secular Humanism is an outgrowth of 18th century enlightenment rationalism and 19th century freethought.

Religious Humanism emerged out of Ethical Culture, Unitarianism, and Universalism.

The most critical irony in dealing with Modern Humanism is the inability of its advocates to agree on whether or not this worldview is religious. Those who see it as philosophy are the Secular Humanists while those who see it as religion are Religious Humanists. This dispute has been going on since the early years of this century when the secular and religious traditions converged and brought Modern Humanism into existence.

Answer 3

It meant recognising the individual as responsible for her or her own fate - i.e. their life was not predestined. It also was as said below influenced by the rediscovery of all sorts of learning from the classical world and influenced art which is why people began to look three dimensional and not just be flat representations. It also meant the individual coulod learn and expand his knowledge and mind - all things were possible, the world was not limited by any diety. It also meant that man was recognised as an individual unit of society not just as a pawn on a big chess board where someone else (i.e. God) moved the pieces.

Answer 4

After the 100 year war and black death , the people of Flanders started to take pride in their city by doing individual works for themselves in this life, not the afterlife promised in the church of whom the citizens lost faith in. the famous were the artist and architects of Flanders they wanted to be remembered in this life. humanism and republicanism began to collapse under strain of wartime taxes.

Answer 5

http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/humanism.html