Layla Quinones
SSH104.7761
Professor T. Coogan
January 8, 2008
Homework 1- Primary Document Review Questions
Document 1 (page 7)
1. What do historians mean by the term “Renaissance humanism”?
When historians speak of Renaissance humanism, they are referring to the most predominant characteristic movement of the time period that valued ancient Greek and Roman literature, styles, ideologies and their insights into human nature. This movement not only valued the Greco-Roman intellect, but also emphasized the hatred and separation from the medieval theology. More specifically, the key principle of Renaissance humanism was to educate people, politicians and future politicians based on classical Greco-Roman literature which emphasizes communication skills, literacy, history, and the application knowledge to promote productive and active lives. In doing so, the Greco-Roman values would be held in high regard by the government thereby reducing corruption and increasing education of the secular outlook on life and the universe. Lastly, it was the humanist vision at that time to achieve through education, a level of eloquence and intellect that would lead them to virtuousness.
2. What made Petrarch aware that a renaissance, or rebirth, of classical learning was necessary in his time?
Petrarch recognized that at the time before the Renaissance, Greek and Roman antiquity was regarded as inessential and inferior to the medieval way of life. In addition, he also realized that the politicians and their methods of governance were problematic and in need for change.
Furthermore, the learning of Greco-Roman ideologies about government, the individual, and way

his of life was a method to educate people who can thereafter rescue the nation from the
“inglorious age” (Petrarch) and open the doors to a new glorious era.
3. Why did Leonardo Bruni abandon his earlier course of studies to pursue the study of Greek literature?
Leonardo Bruni was studying civil law during the Medieval times which had some principal taken from Roman law. However, when Chrysoloras the Byzantine arrived in Florence with the knowledge of Greek literature that no one else possessed, Bruni could not hold back and miss his chance to learn something regarded as an “advantage to…knowledge, enhancement of
…fame, [and]increase in…pleasure” (6). As a result, he abandoned his course of studies in civil law to study Greek literature in order to achieve his maximum potential in education, literacy, history and eventually his life.
4. What subjects made up the basic course of studies advocated by Bruni?
The subjects that were most emphasized by Bruni in a basic course of studies include
Latin, history, the great orators of antiquity, and poetry. In essence, these subjects promote the achievement of a full, ready, varied, and elegant education that would be available for action in life.
Document 2 (page 9)
1. According to Pico della Mirandola, what quality did humans alone possess? What did its possession allow them to do?
According to Pico della Mirandola, humans solely possess the power of free will which allows us shape our lives in form and value. Furthermore, through free will we possess the skill to question our existence and, to ponder the purpose and origin of the universe.

2. How does Pico’s view point to the emergence of the modern outlook?
Pico’s opinion on free will reflects the modern way of thinking because free will allows for human beings to be aware of what they do, how they feel, and what they think. This, therefore, justifies the modern outlook that human beings, not God, have the responsibility and power to shape their own lives.
Document 3 (page 13)
1. In what ways was Niccolo Machiavelli’s advice to princes a break from the teachings of medieval political and moral philosophers?
Niccolo Machiavelli’s advice to the princes broke away from the medieval ideas in very extreme ways. Essentially, his advice was centered on the idea that rulers should not consider moral or ethical values when ruling their nations. He felt that in order for a ruler to maintain and preserve his state’s power, he must ignore good, evil, religion, morality and immorality.
Machiavelli’s viewpoint was extreme as compared to the Christian-centered approach which was used to govern the states at the time. Instead of having a theological approach to keep peace and prosperity, Machievelli asserts that a ruler must take into consideration human nature so as to adjust his strategies according to the presented situation. In addition, instead of a ruler obtaining his power from God, Machiavelli concludes that a ruler must strategically adjust his actions and reactions accordingly, while disregarding morality, in order to preserve and strengthen his state.
2. How does Machiavelli’s image of human nature compare with that of Pico della Mirandola?
Machiavelli’s and Mirandola’s image of human nature are very similar. Machievelli believes that it is in human nature to, at times, be either good or evil. Mirandola felt that it is human nature to have free will and, therefore, have a choice to shape one’s life. Although

seemingly different, the opinions of these scholars are derived from the same concept that human beings have the ability to choose and take responsiblility for their actions as well as reactions.
Therefore, according to both men, human beings have the potential to be good and evil.
3. Would Machiavelli’s political advice help or hurt a politician in a modern democratic society?
I strongly believe that Machiavelli’s political advice, which may hold true in certain aspects, would hurt a politician in a modern democratic society. Although politicians should rule strategically by adjusting their attitudes accordingly, Machiavelli’s assertion of “the end justifies the means” (13) would work well in a democratic society. This is due to the fact that in a democratic society, procedures and counterchecks are taken to ensure that a decision is for the betterment of the majority which would prevent corruptive happenings within the government..
Although there are many opinions of right, wrong, moral and immoral, the result of any action, good or evil, may not justify the means of doing it. Rather, the means should justify whether an action is acceptable or not.
Document 4 (page 17)
1. Why did Martin Luther see the papacy as the crucial block to any meaningful reform of the church?
Martin Luther viewed the papacy as a crucial block in reforming the church because it made the pope the epitome of authority. Therefore, if the pope did something that was unjust, there was no higher authority than he to rectify his decisions. Luther mentions three walls that block the reform of the church which all end in the authority of the pope. In the case of the
Medieval papacy, the pope was corrupt; controlling and deceiving the people by fear of God in order to succeed in their own greed and power.

2. How did Luther’s teaching undermine the power of the clergy and traditional forms of piety?
Luther’s teachings undermined the power of the clergy and traditional forms of piety due to the his fundamental belief that faith, not work, would bring salvation to a Christian person. In asserting this belief, Luther undermined the control of the clergy whereas they defined faith according to the amount of indulgences that were given to them by the people who wished to enter heaven in the afterlife. Finally, he also asserts that the traditional forms of piety, which is to repent for sins by giving back to the church, are not a justification of faith according to the many examples he gives from the bible. In conclusion, he ultimately states that the system that
Catholic Church operated on was for their benefit and by no means justified the faith of others by taking indulgences for themselves in the name of God.