Humanism
A Curriculum on
“The Quality of Being a Man”
A. Characteristics

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1. Revival of antiquity
2. Belief in individual
and potential of
humans
3. Embrace VIRTÚ “the quality of being a
man” idea of excelling
in all pursuits

3. Focus on study of ancient
languages
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A. Latin, intially
B. Greek after Fall of
Constantinople in 1453
C. Ancient texts translated by
1500
4. Largely reject Scholasticism in
favor of:

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A. Favor Roman authors – esp.
Cicero, Virgil
B. Greek writers – esp. Plato
C. Early Christian writers of New
Testament
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5. LIBERAL ARTS:
Grammar, rhetoric,
poetry, history, politics,
and moral philosophy
6. Civic Humanism:
ed. to prepare leaders
7. Humanism more
secular and lay
dominated
The seven liberal arts comprised two groups of studies: the trivium and the quadrivium. Studies in the trivium involved
grammar, dialectic (logic), and rhetoric; and studies in the quadrivium involved arithmetic, music, geometry, and astronomy.
The term liberal in liberal arts is from the Latin word liberalis, meaning "appropriate for free men" (social and political elites),
and they were contrasted with the servile arts. The liberal arts thus initially represented the kinds of skills and general
knowledge needed by the elite echelon of society, whereas the servile arts represented specialized tradesman skills and
knowledge needed by persons who were employed by the elite. The seven liberal arts are part of the instruction of the
Fellow Craft Degree.
B. Major Figures

1. Petrarch – Father
of Humanism

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A. Literature not
sub. to religion.
B. “Dark Ages” =
time between fall of
Roman Empire and
Renaissance
C. Used textual
analysis of ancient
texts.

2. Boccacio –
Compiled Greek and
Roman mythology
encycl.

A. Decameron most
famous work

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1. 100 earthy tales
2. Wisdom on human
character
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3. Leonard Bruni

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A. First to use term
‘humanism’
B. Imp. Civic Humanist
C. Writes history of
Florence using PS
material
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4. Lorenzo Valla
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A. Foremost expert on Latin
lang.
B. On the False Donation of
Constantine

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1. Exposed 8th century fraud
2. Denies 4th century grant
of territory
C. Points out errors in Latin
Vulgate

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1. Gives challengers
ammunition
2. Ironically, he remains a
devoted Catholic

5. Pico della Mirandola

A. Oration on the Dignity of
Man
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1. Most famous Ren. work
on nature of humankind
2. Humans created by God
and given tremendous
potential for greatness, and
even union with God if they
desired it
3. Humans could also
choose negative course.
Thus, humans had FREE
WILL to be great or fail.
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6. Baldassare Castiglione
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A. The Book of the Courtier
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1. Most important work on
Ren. Education
2. Outlined qualities of a
gentleman
3. Described ideal
“Renaissance Man”
4. Medieval view = master
in one area
5. Virtú