Renaissance+Humanism

Kyungna Kim


 * Prompt**: Describe the works and viewpoints of prominent Italian humanist philosophers and analyze their significance to the cause.

Lorenzo Valla


 * Studied ancient Classical languages and texts
 * Proved that the “Donation of Constantine” was a forgery

Pico Della Mirandola
 * __Oration on the Dignity of Man__: Capability of the human mind
 * Humans had a piece of divinity within them, as they were once divine beings
 * That divinity was expressed in the material world by intelligence and spiritual dedication

Leonardo Bruni
 * Studied Classic languages, especially Greek
 * Worked under Chrysoloras and translated many Greek texts to Latin

Lorenzo de’ Medici the Magnificent
 * Supported concept of civic humanism
 * Important patron of the arts of the Renaissance as well

Petrarch
 * Created the “distinction” between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance Age
 * Concerned with preserving the purity of the Latin language
 * Known as the “Father of Humanism”

Baldassar Castiglione
 * __Book of the Courtier__: Wrote out the standards of being a courtier or noble
 * Created definition of the “Renaissance Man”: educated in all fields, culturally knowledgeable, and skilled in various military affairs

Niccolo Machiavelli
 * __The Prince__: Manual for the ideal prince
 * A ruler must be virtuous, wise, brave, and cunning at the same time
 * Politics no longer follow “God’s will”; he founded the concept of secular politics
 * Raison d’etat: Reason of the state, aka Power Politics

Source: AP Achiever