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The Renaissance and Rationalism

The Renaissance and Rationalism . 1300-1800. Renaissance . The. Historical Background. 1350-1550 in Italy; 1500-1650 in England A “large city” only had 100,000 people (think Boise Idaho) Time where rank and status mattered. Status was determined by landownership

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The Renaissance and Rationalism

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  1. The Renaissance and Rationalism 1300-1800

  2. Renaissance The

  3. Historical Background • 1350-1550 in Italy; 1500-1650 in England • A “large city” only had 100,000 people (think Boise Idaho) • Time where rank and status mattered. Status was determined by landownership • It was a time of uncertainty for every social class: sickness and plague were everywhere, also castles and churches buildings were made of wood and easily caught on fire

  4. Background continued • A king’s power was becoming greater whereas the nobility where losing power • The invention of gunpowder left castles vulnerable to cannon fire and knights vulnerable to gunshot wounds

  5. Cultural Background: HumanismAd fontes(back to the sources) • Humanism, which advocated a return to classical learning, started in Italy and then moved Northward • Focused especially on the Greek, Latin, and Hebrew • For the 1st time in 1000 years intellectual learning focused on the ancient works Petrarch Boccaccio

  6. Humanism Continued • They also viewed the classics as great source of moral and practical wisdom as well. • Humanist Myth- Dark Ages were “dark” because there was no learning, or enlightenment”– the middle ages were not “dark” and did produce a number of accomplishments used during the Renaissance

  7. Christian Humanism • Focused not only on the classics but on early church doctrine as well. (The Catholic Church wasn’t in the greatest shape back then) • Believed life should be active and frowned upon people who lived a life in quiet devotion • They also disliked the selling of indulgences and the idea that people went on pilgrimages (these were probably the forerunners to the Reformation) Salamanca Spain

  8. Reformation • Happened because many felt the church was losing its spiritual mission • Started when Martin Luther posted his 95 thesis on the door of a cathedral • Gave birth to other Protestant (coming from the word pro-test) denominations

  9. A Changing WorldReligion wasn’t the only thing changing. • The face of the world was changing for Europeans with the new voyages of discovery • 1519 Magellan voyaged around the world • Copernicus proposed the world was heliocentric and not geocentric

  10. Literary Background • The written word was used rhetorically, to teach or persuade people • Writers would use their characters to propose an imaginary world and then explore the consequences • Writing was also used to persuade people to do good—except The Prince • Emphasis was placed on using ones own language, such as German, Spanish or French • Writers would often not invent their own material but rewrite what they knew in a better way.

  11. Characteristics of Ren. writing • Admired Greek and Roman literature • Classified as a branch of rhetoric—using language to persuade, entertain, and teach • Literature was closely related to speech making; therefore, it is full of elaborate speeches • Written in the vernacular

  12. Rationalism or Enlightenment The Age of

  13. Mentality • c. 1600-1800 • Reason was the greatest authority • Philosophers challenged folk lore and tried to find formal laws • Even nature followed reason’s laws • Mud bath pilgrimages • Paintings reflecting nature • Human nature • Human mind is a blank slate on which we can record impressions—Locke • Emphasis on experience • Natural curiosity

  14. Science Curiosity led to scientific triumphs • Newton • Motion • Gravity • Calculus • Leeuwenhoek-microscope • Boyle-father of chemistry • Jenner-small pox vaccination

  15. Rationalism and Politics Current way • A king has the divine right to rule Locke’s New Idea • Every man has the right to liberty, landownership and life

  16. Influence of the Enlightenment thinkers • this idea influenced the Americans to write their constitution • Rousseau influenced the French Revolution • “Man was born free but he is everywhere in chains” • American Rev and French rev are just two ways the Enlightenment influenced the following centuries • Reason was used • To promote reasonableness of government • To justify revolt

  17. Literature • Admired Greek and Romans as well as the Ren. writers • Milton • Pope • La Fontaine • Addison and Steele • Diderot—First Encyclopedia • Printing press of the 1400s helped promote the printing of newspapers in the 1600s • Tatler • Spectator • Created Public Opinion

  18. Pascal • Mathematician • Physicist • Asked people to feel God rather than think about him • Voltaire • Disagreed with Pascal on man’s concern for trying to find happiness in heaven • Reason was to be used to foster progress and happiness on earth vs

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