HUMANISM

• Greco-Roman Civilisations - The two most important civilisations that existed in the ancient Europe were Greek and Roman civilisations. They are known as classical civilisations. The Greek civilisation was from 12th to 4th century BCE. The Roman civilisation was from 7th century BCE to 5th century CE.
• "To neglect knowledge is to neglect virtue; the intellect lightened by the flame of goodness cannot help but love it. Love is only born of knowledge. Reason is the guide of a right will. It is reason which leads us to salvation".
• These are the words of Roger Bacon, a scientific philosopher who lived in England in the 13th century. Here he is referring to the importance of rationalism, knowledge and love. During his time, the rulers of Europe had denied rationalism. Thinkers like Roger Bacon questioned the existing feudalistic power system and its ideas and concepts. As a result, many of those thinkers were subjected to cruel persecution and imprisonment. Some of them even lost their lives. But, later, situations began to change.
• From 14th century onwards a series of changes took place in the social, economic, and political spheres of Europe. Along with the influence of the Greco-Roman cultures of ancient Europe, a tendency to move away from the ideas that existed in the medieval times also gained strength. Let us examine the characteristic features of these changes.
• Humanistic perspective (Humanism)
• Growth of urban life
• Progress of trade
• Rise of nation states
• Individual liberty
• Rationalism
• Spread of secular values
• Monetary economy
• Importance gained by regional languages
• Changes in the realms of art and science
• These changes were particularly evident in Italy, which was part of the ancient Roman civilisation..Historians termed this changes 'Renaissance.'.The Renaissance is considered as a period of transformation from the medieval feudalism to the modern age.