The Renaissance period was a time of great exploration and intellectual development in Europe and beyond. During this era, a new style of thought and learning, known as humanism, emerged. This form of thought had a major influence on the intellectual landscape during this period, and it helped to lay the foundations for the Scientific Revolution. Let’s take a closer look at how Renaissance humanism set the stage for the Scientific Revolution.

Encouraging New Perspectives

Renaissance humanism put great emphasis on questioning and challenging notions that had been accepted as fact for centuries. This was a huge break from the strictly scholastic, Aristotelian views which had been dominant in previous centuries. Instead, humanism encouraged people to question accepted ideas and to think critically about the world. This was a hugely important step in enabling the Scientific Revolution, as it encouraged an open-mindedness which allowed for the development of new theories and ideas.

A New Fascination with Nature

In addition, humanism placed an emphasis on a new type of knowledge – the study of nature. This was a major change, as the philosophical and theological study of the Middle Ages had tended to look away from nature. Instead, humanism focused on studying and understanding the physical world. This was an essential step towards the development of the Scientific Revolution, as it helped to create an environment in which scientific experimentation could flourish.

The Rebirth of Classical Knowledge

Finally, Renaissance humanism brought with it the revival of classical knowledge. This included the study of Greek and Roman philosophy and science, which had remained largely forgotten during the Middle Ages. This knowledge helped to shape the new perspective that was developing during the period, and provided a foundation on which the Scientific Revolution could be built.

In conclusion, Renaissance humanism played a key role in laying the foundations for the Scientific Revolution. By encouraging new perspectives, focusing on the study of nature, and breathing new life into the study of classical knowledge, humanism helped to create a new intellectual atmosphere in which scientific development could take root.