Palmer #6, Question 1

Palmer #6, Question 1

Will Stewart

“Why is the Renaissance in some ways an erroneous term? What relationship may be pointed out between the modern world and the Middle Ages? The modern world and the Renaissance?”

1. Though the term “Renaissance” is in some ways erroneous in that it refers to institutions that originated in the Middle Ages, the overall sense of a rebirth in thought and science returning to the Greco-Roman tradition did actually occur in the period known as the Renaissance.
2. Relationship between modern world and Middle Ages
1. Christianity develops into recognizable modern form

i. Roman Catholic Church arises

2. Modern languages arise in this period

i. Romance and Germanic European languages

ii. Semi-modern English seen for the first time

3. Nation-states begin to form

i. Eventually would become modern countries

ii. Particularly modern France and England

4. Medieval universities à modern science

i. Theology, law, medicine

5. Role of government

i. Modern idea of taxation

ii. Largely autonomous towns somewhat controlled by federal government

iii. Separation of powers- parliaments vs. monarchy

3. Relationship between modern world and Renaissance
1. Modern art and literature

i. Renaissance artists- Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, Borromini, Da Vinci, etc.

ii. Modern art in galleries, modern architecture- all originates here

2. Modern philosophy

i. Moral philosophy not having to do with religion

ii. Questions of humanity and culture neither theological nor scientific

1. Propriety, decorum, personal character, education

3. Secular attitude, originating in Italy

i. Modern idea of separation of reason and religion

ii. Life important not only as a path to afterlife

iii. Leading thinkers not part of the church