What
I got out of reading Humanism by Lauro Martines. Humanism was acquired by a powerful
urban class of dominant social groups. It was a classical teaching from the ancient
Greek and roman times that included many areas of study such as poetry literature
geography and science. Humanism required a certain path of study, type of
individual, and was about education over everything. It was meant for rich
individuals of the fifteenth century and high status leaders in society. In
1402 Pier Palo Vergerio said that if a man didn’t find himself interested in
the act of letters or speculative thought than why exist because you are
basically useless as a citizen. Latin grammar was the fundamental language for humanism.
Although without ancient Greek Latin would not exist, Latin remained the grammatical
choice in humanism. Young rich men continued there educations longer and were
sent overseas whereas middle class to poorer kids where taught a trade. Poets
held one of the major roles and positions in humanism by writing out the
experience of man and humanism as a guide to shape the ideal man through
experiences. Rhetoric or the art of persuasion in speaking and writing was the
high aim for humanists. Men in public and high power positions where expected
to know art of rhetoric. Eloquence was the main source of study in order to be
a prince you had to be well rounded in the act of ruling and politics. The
historical studies that were included in Humanism included ancient Greek,
Roman, and the history of the current Italian cities of the 1400s. The old and
new testaments were later omitted from the humanistic historical teachings. The
study of history was extremely important to humanists in that in molded the
positions of their leaders and politicians in order to better themselves as a
population. Humanists used history as a way to spread their name around the
world and through history. They were cocky in the fact that there goal was to
be the best and were all about success. They were Self congratulating and proud
of their accomplishments. Humanists looked down upon money making and more at a
preparation for life and development as man. To sum it up humanists of the
14oos were searching not for wealth but for mastering the human experience by
learning the world and enjoying the world.
I like how you thoroughly explain and sum up how humanism was mainly about education and they experience of man. I think it's amazing how education has developed since these times. It's sad to think that the less fortunate kids were sent off to a trade whereas the more wealthy kids were educated. I guess that's how its always been, it's just great how we've grown into a society where higher education is common place. I liked how you ended by saying how humanists searched for the mastery of the human experience rather than wealth. That's a beautiful thing, it's just ironic because they obviously already came from wealth so what desire or even drive could they possibly ever have? Whereas someone from a poorer background wouldn't ever have the same opportunities as humanist student so clearly would be searching for wealth for never having any.
ReplyDeleteWell summarized and I agree with Catalin that your final remark about human experience and "enjoying the world" is very well taken. Should higher education be free . . .?
ReplyDeleteIf a young man was raised from a rich family he has expectations and he is exposed to higher education and its life benefits, making him want to follow in his family's footsteps. That is the drive. But yes, it does seem flawed that only the rich could study while saying that the study is for the human experience over wealth. The human experience should be for everyone. After reading about humanism it seems like humanists should have been more accepting of the higher education of the lower classes. I don't feel that higher education should be free but balanced as we have tried to do in our society today. Everyone should have a choice in the paths they want to take through education.
ReplyDeleteLanguage is one of the most important aspects of humanism. Elaborating on their dissection of rhetoric was something i didnt talk about in my post but was very interested in. After the reading, i was under the impression that a humanist values order and categorization. although one tried to broaden ones perspective by studying secular ideals, it was important to understand that even a secular piece of art required the same serious attention a religious figure would approach the old or new testament with. The humanists approach to language and rhetoric is a perfect example of that.
ReplyDeleteLanguage is one of the most important aspects of humanism. Elaborating on their dissection of rhetoric was something i didnt talk about in my post but was very interested in. After the reading, i was under the impression that a humanist values order and categorization. although one tried to broaden ones perspective by studying secular ideals, it was important to understand that even a secular piece of art required the same serious attention a religious figure would approach the old or new testament with. The humanists approach to language and rhetoric is a perfect example of that.
ReplyDelete