Understanding Humanism and Individualism

Humanism was an important movement that started during the Renaissance, which lasted from the 14th to the 17th century. It helped people value their own individuality. This movement was all about studying old texts from ancient Greece and Rome. Instead of just focusing on religious teachings, humanists looked at what humans could achieve and the potential everyone has.

Key Points About Humanism and Individualism

1. Importance of Education:

   • Humanism changed education by adding more subjects like literature, philosophy, and history.
   • This shift helped create universities, and by 1500 there were over 80 of them in Europe that highlighted humanistic studies.

2. Value of the Individual:

   • Humanists believed that every person has worth and potential.
   • Thinkers like Petrarch and Erasmus encouraged self-expression and personal accomplishments.
   • They believed that "man is the measure of all things," which made people feel more responsible for their own lives and choices.

3. Artistic Growth:

   • Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo focused on creating realistic images of people.
   • Their artwork showed individuality and deep emotions.
   • The idea of “virtu” combined talent, intelligence, and an active way of living. Da Vinci was a great example of this because he was not only an artist, but also a scientist and inventor.

4. Growth of Secular Ideas:

   • Humanism encouraged people to move away from being ruled by religious leaders and instead think about more worldly ideas.
   • This led people to question rules and embrace new thoughts, allowing them to create their own belief systems.

Impact with Numbers

• The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 was a game changer for sharing humanist ideas.
• By 1500, there were about 15 to 20 million printed books in Europe, spreading humanist texts widely.
• Important humanists like Machiavelli and Thomas More influenced how people thought about politics, promoting the idea that personal involvement in politics was important and that human experiences mattered more than just divine rules.

In summary, humanism focused on learning from classical texts, recognizing individual potential, and achieving personal goals. This had a big impact on the rise of individualism during the Renaissance and helped shape the way we think today in Western society.