Humanism During the Renaissance :: Philosophy

Hu pieceism During the RenaissanceDuring the renaissance, in that location was a renewed interest in the arts, and the traditional views of society came into question. commonwealth began to explore the power of the human mind. A term often utilise to describe the increasing interest in the powers of the human mind is secular humanism. Generally, humanism stresses the individuals creative, reasoning, and aesthetic powers. However, during the Renaissance, individual ideas about humanism differed. Writers and philosophers of the Renaissance time consummation verbalised their opinions about human nature and humans roles in the universe finished their writings. Pico della Mirandolas Oration on the dignity of man, which glorifies humanity and praises the human mogul to reason, offers the opposing view to Shakespeares Hamlet and Montaignes essay Mans presumption and Littleness which some(prenominal) suggest that humans are no higher in the prevalent order of things than any other of Gods creatures. Pico begins his essay by informing his readers that he knows where humans stand in the divine order of the world. Pico believes that humans were the final creatures created by God, and that Gods purpose, in creating them, was to fulfill his desire for somebody to appreciate the slap-up wonders and beauties of his world When the work was finished, the Craftsman kept wishing that there were someone to ponder the plan of so great a work... therefore... he ultimately took thought concerning the creation of man. (Mirandola 224) It is also Picos belief that when Humans were created, they were given qualities both divine and earthly, and could become whatever they chose We have made thee neither of paradise nor of earth, neither mortal nor immortal, so that with freedom of choice... thou mayest fashion thyself in whatever shape thou shalt prefer. (Mirandola 225) Picos conclusion about human be among the divine order of things was that while some people were almost ce lestial, others were no better than animals, and that this great variance of character among the human population only(prenominal) served to increase their importance and uniqueness from all other of Gods creatures. His essay, which praised human brilliance and exalted the powers of humanity, was opposed by more negative views of humanity, as expressed in the works of Montaigne and Shakespeare. Montaignes essay Mans presumption and Littleness belittles the greatness of man so much that he becomes no more than another animate being among beasts, possibly even lower than some of Gods other creatures.