Humanism: Dignity, Virtus, and the Study of Man
The Core Tenets of Humanism
Humanism allowed individuals to compare editions and collections, facilitating in-depth study. Critical editions aimed to recover an author’s original writings. With the invention of the printing press, the dissemination of texts became much more widespread, reaching a broader audience.
Humanists and Their Dual Focus
Humanists directed their work in two primary directions:
- Sharing Knowledge: They shared their knowledge with their peers, contributing to the growing body of knowledge derived from ancient texts. Humanists formed a Respublica Litterarum, a community of scholars, despite existing rivalries in different locations and courts.
- Influencing Power: They aimed to influence societal elites, promoting the spread of Humanism. Humanists sought roles as advisors, operating “in the shadow of power.” They saw themselves as a political group capable of enacting change based on the lessons learned from antiquity.
This influence extended to both political and religious spheres. Humanists served as advisors in republics and as reformers within the religious experience. Key figures include Erasmus of Rotterdam and Philipp Melanchthon, many of whom became associated with the Protestant Reformation.
Moral Philosophy and the Ideal Human
Moral philosophy became central to the study of humanity, aiming to prescribe rules for a good life, encompassing both ethical and social dimensions. In contrast to the purely intellectual orientation of traditional philosophy, Humanism provided practical guidance. Building an ideal human model involved two approaches:
- Classical Sources: Studying the ethical dimensions of classical authors like Cicero, Seneca, and Plutarch, alongside the reflections of Church Fathers such as Augustine and Jerome.
- Direct Observation: Studying individuals directly, observing human behavior to create a complete picture, often reflected in the portraits of the era. This period marked a time of introspection, starting with Petrarch.
From introspection and meditation on humanity’s place within creation emerged a sense of radical optimism and a certain awareness of omnipotence, a common theme in earlier times.
Key Concepts in Humanist Literature
Dignity (Dignitas): Emphasizing the inherent value of human beings, a concept that gained prominence in the Platonic Academy in Florence. This is exemplified in works like Pico della Mirandola’s Oratio de hominis dignitate (Oration on the Dignity of Man). While the idea of dignity existed in the Middle Ages, rooted in humans being God’s creation, Humanism added the concepts of participation and the potential for humans to develop their divine likeness within society. Culture’s dominance over nature demonstrated human dignity.
Virtue (Virtus): Representing the inherent capacity of humans to overcome challenges, contrasting with the medieval emphasis on fortune. This concept of virtue, independent of Christian culture, emphasized self-reliance and shaping one’s surroundings. Humanist ethics drew heavily from Aristotle’s ethics and social policy, often linking it to a Christianized interpretation of Plato’s concept of divinity. This development was furthered by Marsilio Ficino in Florence. Other thinkers, like Leon Battista Alberti, advocated for a Stoic-influenced approach, emphasizing balance in earthly existence, detachment from passions, and seeking happiness within oneself, without resorting to monastic asceticism.
Nature and Harmony
The idea of nature was consistently present in Humanist writings. Nature was viewed as a source of beauty and harmony, emanating its beauty throughout the universe. Humans, as recipients of this beauty, could transform it, always striving to make the best use of this gift, recognizing their place within the harmonious whole of the universe. Montaigne, a 16th-century thinker, summarized this by advocating for self-study, understanding nature, and living in harmony with the universe, emphasizing the importance of accepting one’s human limitations. This contrasts with the discourse on the divinity of man, representing an alternative perspective.