These three interests found representation in the three dominant strands of Renaissance philosophy: (1) political theory, (2) humanism and (3) the philosophy of nature. ... Of all the practices of Renaissance Europe, nothing is used to distinguish the Renaissance from the Middle Ages more than humanism as both a program and a philosophy. ... Humanism was initiated by secular men of letters rather than by the scholar-clerics that had dominated medieval intellectual life and had developed the Scholastic philosophy. ... As its name implies, humanism was a philosophy that was characterized b...

• Word Count: 1970
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Humanism was the emancipation and rediscovery of the individual, and it left an immense impact on literature, philosophy, and the arts. ... Neoplatonism during the Renaissance was a revival of Platonism, a dualistic philosophy based on Plato's Republic. ... Neoplatonism was a resurgence of these Platonic ideas, but humanistic thinkers attempted to integrate Christianity and philosophy into a harmonious theological-philosophical ideal (Plato" 1). It was a metaphysical philosophy, meaning it tried to develop a theory of reality and of what is genuinely "real"" (Kessler 5). ... The most huma...

• Word Count: 2321
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Many dramatic changes occurred during this time in the fields of philosophy, art, politics, and literature. ... It was at this point, during the 1430's, that the Renaissance and many of its core philosophies truly began to take off in Italy. ... As its name implies, humanism was a philosophy that was characterized by blending concern with the history and actions of all human beings, and their influences on the world with religious duty. ... Rapheal was most noted for his definition of perspective and complicated use of color. ...

• Word Count: 1908
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Many studied the writings of their past, both arts and sciences, and reflected on various philosophies of life, in order to determine the best ethic for the individual. ... His writings provide definition to humanism, revealing Medieval History as barbaric, in a primitive and brutal sense, but he declares that classical history, on the other hand, should be the basis for life. ...

• Word Count: 2313
• Approx Pages: 9

Italy is probably the most diverse nation in the world. Much of the riches of early Europe material and intellectual came from this country of city-states. Italian Studies is the study of this diversity. Which is pretty much anything the mind can imagine. From politics, law, design, fashion, sports...

• Word Count: 2032
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School