WHI-Chap22-Obj5
Humanism refers to the practice performed by humanists. Humanists were scholars interested in the humanities--literature, history, and moral philosophy. Renaissance humanists devoted themselves to Christianity. They worked to translate the New Testament and other important Christian scripts. A very prominent humanist named Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1536) published the first Greek New Testament. Humanists discouraged the often convoluted writing style of scholastic theologians (Traditions and Encounters, 583). They favored Greek and Roman authors because they thought their works were more compelling than those of medieval scholars. The main objective of humanists was to reevaluate medieval teachings. They thought that monks and nuns were most honorable, as they dedicated their whole lives to God. However, the humanists believed it possible to lead a morally virtuous life while participating actively in the affairs of the world (Traditions and Encounters, 584). Renaissance humanists believed it acceptable for Christians to go about living a virtually normal life (marrying, owning businesses, etc.). Humanists strived to restore the Christian values and ethics in Renaissance Europe. Humanist moral though represented an effort to reconcile Christian values and ethics with the increasingly urban and commercial society of Renaissance Europe.
John Kim
