Humanism, Critical Thinking, and the Renaissance of Science

This essay delves into the multifaceted concept of humanism, exploring its profound impact on critical thinking and the scientific renaissance. It examines how humanism, with its emphasis on reason and human welfare, challenged traditional beliefs and fostered intellectual growth. The essay investigates the influence of humanism on art, philosophy, science, and government, highlighting its role in promoting democracy and informed decision-making. It also discusses the contributions of key figures like Martin Luther and analyzes the shift from the Middle Ages to the modern world, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and intellectualism in leadership. The paper concludes by underscoring humanism's enduring legacy in shaping contemporary life and its contribution to self-awareness and civilization.

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Humanities
Introduction to Humanism
Humanism is a rational philosophy supported by science and affirmed by arts to inspire,
motivate, and maximize human freedom and liberty with relation to improving social lives of the
human beings. It calls for democracy, upholds human rights as well social justice. In any case it
entails all aspects of life whether religious, political, social, ethical, and cultural perspectives.
Humanism as suggested by many humanists is based on reasoning, use of common sense and
recognizes the impacts of moral values in defining human nature and experiences. Scholars have
argued that humanism represent a key turning point in transformation of human brainpower.
Humanists consider welfare of human beings and do not see any significance of God, gods,
deities or supernatural powers. This has led to various studies that seek to answer the big
questions on whether the supposedly superhuman being is responsible for natural occurrences or
the science.
Implications of humanism on critical thinking and renaissance of science
The present paper seeks to investigate how humanism epoch human thinking and the
evolution of intellectualism. It is important noting that, humanism has a great impact on the
science of renaissance as witnessed by scholars and historians who observed that the early man

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was moved by what nature could do. Hence, there has been a growing need to understand who or
what is behind some of the happenings that take place in our today’s life. For instance, the great
scientists of renaissance science, Isaac newton was astonished by what made objects always to
fall back to the earth’s surface whenever one attempted to throw them up. This kind of ideas
provoked a lot of critical thinking and desire to explore, invent, and innovate. Force of gravity
was discovered through the above mentioned evolution. Therefore, the question that lingers in
most of the researchers minds is whether that is all there is that can explain these serious
phenomena (Palisca 15-25).
Burckhardt’s writings on the contemporaries of renaissance attracted the interest of
scholars to test his view on the Italian renaissance with the origin of governed states,
individualism, and secular lives of individuals. Notably, he sought to find out the collapse of
feudalism which ushered in the act of independent states. According to other scholars elsewhere,
his ideas has speculated today’s political dictatorship and restrained leadership. For instance, the
rise of humanism in Italy led to an overhaul of some of the practices that degraded the office of
the pope. The office had been turned to a throne of sinners contrary to the Vatican guideline
manual. Most scholars condemned the vice and argued that masses are capable of making their
own decisions based on critical thinking which forms the major aspect or characteristic that the
paper is addressing. Other researchers argue that the human conscience grants the man ability to
think and make concrete decision (Scherer 544-564).
Martin Luther propagates and advocates for freedom of man in religious perspective,
disregards judgment by churches. He calls for revolution of the Catholic Church which has
marked the beginning of Protestantism. His efforts have lasted up to date giving individuals
freedom to make choices on religion (Jungee Han 73-93). Other religious scholars and writers

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endows such thinking to continue the process of revolution, and find the place or stand of the
modern church. Humanism has also led to new attitudes towards art, philosophy, science, and the
government. Renaissance humanism has constantly challenged the modern world leading to
realism of life and has influenced the way people view the world today. It allowed the common
person to enjoy his freedom of religion, political stance, and cultural practices. The present paper
is inclined towards whether advocating for democracy and informed decision making in life is
worth the cost as brought out in the field of humanism (O'Malley 158-161)
.
Renaissance has significant impact on the shift of history from the middle ages to the
modern world. It has clearly outlined how people in power should apply the knowledge of
critical thinking and intellectualism in providing the most regarded leadership. Scholars and
humanists have condemned leaders who present themselves as holy and reverent during the day
but change at night (Summit 665-678).
Conclusion
The idea of critical thinking and renaissance of science has contributed much towards
self-consciousness, awareness, and civilization. The paper finds out that humanism has greatly
influenced the contemporary life by providing people with the much needed knowledge and
awareness from which they are able to make sound decisions. This has consequently led to the
modernization and review of the existing statutes, artifacts, ethics and governmental operations
at large (Houston 44-58)
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Works Cited
Houston, Tony. "Renaissance Humanism." Philo 17.1 (2014): 44-58. Web.
Jungee Han. "Doctor Faustus: Renaissance Individualism And Protestant Individualism."
Journal of Classic and English Renaissance Literature 19.2 (2010): 73-93. Web.
O'Malley, John W. "Renaissance Humanism: Foundations, Forms, And Legacy. Vol. I,
Humanism In Italy; Vol. II, Humanism Beyond Italy; Vol. III, Humanism And The
Disciplines.Albert Rabil." Renaissance Quarterly 43.1 (1990): 158-161. Web.
Palisca, Claude V. Humanism In Italian Renaissance Musical Thought. New Haven: Yale
University Press, 1985. Print.
Scherer, Matthew. "The New Religious Freedom: Secular Fictions And Church Autonomy."
Politics and Religion 8.03 (2015): 544-564. Web.
Summit, Jennifer. "Renaissance Humanism And The Future Of The Humanities." Literature
Compass 9.10 (2012): 665-678. Web.