THE CAMBRIDGE COMPANION TO RENAISSANCE PHILOSOPHY

JAMES HANKINS The significance of Renaissance phi osoph!"

Since #he $%&'s( )hen i# fi*s# e+e*ge, as a ,is#inc#i-e fie , of *esea*ch( in#e ec#.a his#o*! has a )a!s /een fascina#e, )i#h #he Renaissance" In#e ec#.a his#o*ians a*e conce*ne, )i#h .nea*#hing #he ,eep( of#en ha fconscio.s pa##e*ns of #ho.gh# #ha# go-e*n #he )a! in,i-i,.a s .n,e*s#an, an, ac# )i#hin na#.*e an, socie#!" The! e0a+ine ho) #*a,i#ions of #ho.gh# si#.a#e #he+se -es )i#hin changing ing.is#ic an, c. #.*a se##ings" La#e ! #he! ha-e /eg.n #o foc.s on #he his#o*! of ea*ne, ,iscip ines( in#e ec#.a *o.#ines( an, p*ac#ices" A/o-e a #he! a*e conce*ne, )i#h #he 1.es#ion of )h! a*ge g*o.ps of h.+an /eings change #hei* /e iefs o-e* #i+e" This /eing #he case( i# is eas! #o see )h! #he Renaissance a##*ac#s #he in#e ec#.a his#o*ian" I# )as a pe*io, )hen f.n,a+en#a changes occ.**e, in 2es#e*n socie#ies ac*oss a )i,e *ange of /e iefs( *e igio.s( scien#ific( po i#ica ( his#o*ica ( an, an#h*opo ogica " Ch*is#en,o+ ,isin#eg*a#e, an, so-e*eign s#a#es e+e*ge," The Ca#ho ic Ch.*ch os# +.ch of i#s a.#ho*i#! an, ne) P*o#es#an# ch.*ches an, sec#s appea*e," Re igio.s ,i-isions an, )a*s e, #o #he fi*s# #en#a#i-e e0p*essions of #he nee, fo* #o e*ance an, f*ee,o+ of e0p*ession" E,.ca#iona i,ea s an, p*ac#ice )e*e #*ansfo*+e," H.+anis#s a*ose #o cha enge #he hege+on! of scho as#ic c. #.*e" Ch*is#ian c. #.*e .n,e*)en# a +a3o* *eo*ien#a#ion in i#s a##i#.,e #o #he pagan c. #.*e of G*aeco4Ro+an an#i1.i#!" Rep./ icanis+ an, a/so .#is+ c*!s#a i5e, in#o ,is#inc# #*a,i#ions of po i#ica #ho.gh#" Ma3o* changes occ.**e, in ho) E.*opeans sa) an, ana !5e, h.+an na#.*e( #he cos+os( an, na#.*a p*ocesses" The sciences g*e) ess in#e*es#e, in con#e+p a#ing na#.*e an, +o*e in#e*es#e, in con#*o ing i#" A Ne) 2o* , )as ,isco-e*e, f. of socie#ies( f o*a( an, fa.na .##e* ! .n6no)n #o 2es#e*n ea*ne, #*a,i#ions" The in-en#ion of p*in#ing 7 #he info*+a#ion *e-o .#ion of #he fif#een#h cen#.*! 7 a #e*e, f.n,a+en#a ! #he con,i#ions .n,e* )hich 6no) e,ge4)o*6e*s ope*a#e,( +a6ing possi/ e #he co ec#ion( co a#ion an, ana !sis of info*+a#ion in )a!s an, on a sca e hi#he*#o .ni+agina/ e" The shee* -o .+e of ne) info*+a#ion an, #he -a*ie#! of pe*spec#i-es on offe*( #he *e igio.s 1.a**e s of #he #i+e( no# #o +en#ion #he se,.c#i-e po)e* of ancien#

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#hin6e*s i6e Cice*o an, Se0#.s E+pi*ic.s( ine-i#a/ ! e, #o a *es.*gence of s6ep#icis+ an, fi,eis+( an, pa*i pass. #o a ne) conce*n )i#h +e#ho, an, #he *e ia/i i#! of 6no) e,ge" So i# is ha*, ! s.*p*ising #ha# #he in#e ec#.a his#o*ian -ie)s #he Renaissance as an e0#*ao*,ina*i ! )e 4s#oc6e, )o*6shop fo* #he p*ac#ice of his c*af#" The sa+e is no# #*.e of phi osophe*s an, his#o*ians of phi osoph!" =o* phi osophe*s #he pe*io, of #he Renaissance has of#en see+e, a 6in, of -a e! /e#)een #)o hi s" On one hi si# #he g*ea# scho as#ic phi osophe*s 7 A1.inas( Sco#.s( Oc6ha+ 7 g*ea# s!s#e+ /.i ,e*s an, /*i ian# ana !s#s of ang.age( ogic( an, +e#aph!sics" On #he o#he* hi si# #he g*ea# s!s#e+ /.i ,e*s of #he se-en#een#h cen#.*!( Desca*#es( Ho//es( Lei/ni5( an, Spino5a( +en )ho can *easona/ ! /e ,esc*i/e, as /e onging #o #he )o* , of +o,e*n #ho.gh#" In /e#)een ies a s)a+p an, inha/i#e, /! )ha# see+ +e*e epigones of #he g*ea# scho as#ics( /! sen#en#io.s +o*a i5e*s an, i##e>*a#e.*s( /! phi o ogis#s an, co+pi e*s( /! )i ,4e!e, +agicians an, Na#.*phi osophen( as fe*#i e in p*opaga#ing ne) i,eas as #he! )e*e incapa/ e of ,efen,ing #he+" C.san.s( Machia-e i( pe*haps ?a a( a*e ac6no) e,ge, #o /e +a3o* #hin6e*s( #ho.gh in -e*! ,iffe*en# )a!s( /.# #he! a*e ha*, ! eno.gh #o *e,ee+ #he pe*io, f*o+ i#s *ep.#a#ion as a phi osophica )as#e an," C.san.s@ )o*6 see+s +o*e *e e-an# #o #heo og! #han phi osoph!A Machia-e i is +o*e of a po i#ica scien#is# #han a po i#ica phi osophe*A ?a a@s +a3o* )o*6 of phi osoph! is a-ai a/ e on ! in La#in an, is in an! case si#.a#e, in #he .nfa+i ia* #e**ain of c assica phi o og!" I# is no )on,e* #ha# phi osophe*s conce*ne, )i#h #he his#o*! of #hei* ,iscip ine a*e #e+p#e, #o eap ai*i ! f*o+ one hi #o #he o#he* *a#he* #han s og #h*o.gh #he s)a+ps /e o)" No* is i# s.*p*ising #ha# co.*ses on Renaissance phi osoph! *e+ain *a*e in ,epa*#+en#s of phi osoph!" Pa*# of #he *eason )h! in#e ec#.a his#o*ians an, phi osophe*s ,iffe* so +.ch in #he -a .e #he! p.# .pon Renaissance #ho.gh# ies in #he .ses each aca,e+ic co++.ni#! +a6es of pas# #hin6e*s" 2ha# in#e ec#.a his#o*ians #!pica ! see6 o.# in #he pas# is #he .nfa+i ia* an, #he s#*ange( fo* #hese a*e #hei* /es# c .es #o .n,e*s#an,ing a ien +o,es of #ho.gh#" 2ha# phi osophe*s see+ #o )an# f*o+ #he pas# is Bin Richa*, Ro*#!@s ph*aseC DDcon-e*sa#iona pa*#ne*s"@@ 2i#h p./ ic ! ,efine, posi#ions a *ea,! s#a6e, o.#( #he! e0p o*e #he fa+o.s na+es of #he pas# #o see )ha# igh# #he! can she, on #he p*o/ e+s of #hei* o)n fie ," The! +igh# hope #o e a/o*a#e #hei* #a0ono+ies of a-ai a/ e posi#ions o* *efine e0is#ing posi#ions( /.# f.n,a+en#a ! #he! a*e oo6ing fo* #hin6e*s )hose fo*+a +en#is is si+i a* #o #hei* o)n" Phi osophe*s in#e*es#e, in #he +in,7/o,! p*o/ e+ can con-e*se Bo* so #he! /e ie-eC )i#h Desca*#es an, Ho//es" B.# #he! can +a6e i## e of phi osophe*s i6e =icino o* Pa#*i5i )ho /e ie-e, #ha# +in,7/o,! in#e*ac#ions )e*e +e,ia#e, /! fine+a#e*ia spi*i#.s 7 a #e*#i.+ 1.i, ,esc*i/e, )i#h g*ea# confi,ence /! Ga en &&%

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/.# )hich canno# /e ,e#ec#e, /! +o,e*n scien#ific ins#*.+en#s" 2o*se( /ehin, #he i,ea of spi*i#.s ies a #*ini#a*ian ps!cho og! ,*a)n f*o+ A.g.s#ine( )hich see+s #o i+po*# an e e+en# of #he a p*io*i f*o+ *e igio.s ,og+a"$ Desca*#es@s #heo*! of #he pinea g an,( .nsa#isfac#o*! as i# is ei#he* phi osophica ! o* scien#ifica !( a# eas# see+s #o ha-e so+e /ea*ing on #he +o,e*n cons#*.c#ion of #he +in,7/o,! p*o/ e+" In p*incip e i# is fa sifia/ e an, no# ,epen,en# on a.#ho*i#! o* Ch*is#ian +e#aph!sica ca*#oons fo* i#s -a i,i#!" The sa+e canno# /e sai, of =icino@s spi*i#.s( DD#ha# s./# e 6no# )hich +a6es .s +an(@@ so s./# e as #o /e in-isi/ e .n,e* asa* +ic*oscop!" As an in#e ec#.a his#o*ian( one +igh# o/se*-e #ha# #he appa*en# *a#iona i#! of phi osophe*s i6e Desca*#es is on ! appa*en#( an, #ha# +o*e his#o*ica ! info*+e, s#.,ies of Desca*#es ,isc ose an .nac6no) e,ge, ,epen,ence on #*a,i#iona so.*ces 7 inc .,ing A.g.s#ine 7 an, a )ho e )e/ of #heo ogica ass.+p#ions ho ,ing #he phi osophica *easoning in p ace"; One co. , a so *e+a*6 #ha# #he DDfa+o.s na+es of #he pas#@@ a*e fa+o.s fo* a *eason( an, a a*ge pa*# of #ha# *eason has #o ,o )i#h #he hie*a*ch! of ins#i#.#ions an, na#ions an, socia c asses an, pa##e*ns of ,iscip eship an, #*ans+ission"& This( ho)e-e*( ,oes no# affec# #he +ain iss.e( #ha# +o,e*n phi osophe*s canno# con-e*se )i#h phi osophe*s of #he pas# .n ess #he! sha*e ce*#ain ass.+p#ions a/o.# phi osophica ,isco.*se" The f.n,a+en#a co++i#+en# of +o,e*n aca,e+ic phi osoph! is #o a +e#ho,o og!( a ce*#ain +o,e of a*g.+en#a#ion( an, #ha# +o,e e0c .,es a*g.+en#s ,epen,ing fo* #hei* -a i,i#! on *e igio.s ,og+a( .n1.es#iona/ e a.#ho*i#ies( .ne0a+ine, +e#aph!sica ass.+p#ions( o* o.#,a#e, science" B! #his #es# Desca*#es an, Ho//es s#i co.n# as +o,e*n phi osophe*s an, =icino an, Pa#*i5i ,o no#" One can of co.*se s./3ec# #he +o,e*n +o,e of phi osophica a*g.+en# i#se f #o a his#o*ica c*i#i1.e( an, sho) #ha# )ha# #o,a! co.n#s as DD*a#iona @@ is i#se f his#o*ica ! con#ingen#" =a+o.s phi osophe*s i6e Miche =o.ca. #( Richa*, Ro*#!( A as,ai* MacIn#!*e( an, S#ephen To. +in ha-e a*cheo ogi5e, +o,e*n *eason in #his )a!"E This ge#s .s c ose* #o an a*g.+en# fo* #he .#i i#! #o phi osophe*s of s#.,!ing Renaissance phi osoph!" =e) phi osophe*s )o. , ,en! #ha# +o,e*n phi osoph! /enefi#s f*o+ an a)a*eness of #he ass.+p#ions .n,e* !ing i#s en#e*p*ise" To /e s.*e( #he fac# #ha# a pa*#ic. a* fo*+ of *a#iona i#! appea*s a# so+e his#o*ica +o+en# ,oes no# in i#se f sho) #ha# i# is fa se( 3.s# as #he .ni-e*sa i#! of a /e ief ,oes no# sho) #ha# i# is #*.e" B.# i# sho. , /e o/-io.s #ha# one .sef. )a! #o +a6e sense of +o,e*n fo*+s of *a#iona i#! is #o s#.,! #he+ Bas A*is#o# e )o. , sa!C in #he p*ocess of #hei* g*o)#h" This +eans Bas E*ns# Cassi*e* an, Richa*, Pop6in a *ea,! sa)C s#.,!ing #he Renaissance an, especia ! i#s i,eas of *a#iona i#! an, +e#ho," The a*ge* poin# is #ha# if #he s#.,! of Renaissance phi osoph! is #o /enefi# +o,e*n phi osophe*s( #he! 7 )e 7 )i ha-e #o app*oach i#( as one sho. , &E' Ca+/*i,ge Co ec#ions On ine 9 Ca+/*i,ge :ni-e*si#! P*ess( ;''<

a )a!s app*oach #he pas#( )i#h a ce*#ain h.+i i#! an, *espec#" To sea*ch +e*e ! fo* pa*#ne*s )ho can 3oin in +o,e*n con-e*sa#ions( ,is+issing o.# of han, #hose )ho spea6 in o#he* phi osophica ang.ages( ine-i#a/ ! i+i#s ,e/a#e" I# #.*ns phi osoph! in#o anach*onis#ic +ono og.eA )e #a 6 on ! #o o.*se -es" I# a so fa sifies #he pas#A #o fin, 2i##gens#ein in ?a a is #o +.#a#e non +.#an,a"F B.# app*oache, in #he *igh# spi*i#( )i#h pa#ience an, a sense of his#o*!( #he Renaissance can offe* ce*#ain essons" 2hen )e a##en, #o #he his#o*ica si#.a#ion of Renaissance phi osoph! an, )ha# Renaissance phi osophe*s #he+se -es hope, #o acco+p ish( )e +igh# e-en /e p*epa*e, #o a,+i# ce*#ain *ese+/ ances /e#)een #ha# age an, o.* o)n" 2e +igh# e-en see #he phi osophe*s of #he Renaissance as pe*sons )ho ha-e )a 6e, ,o)n pa#hs )e o.*se -es no) #*a-e an, )ho can #o so+e ,eg*ee ac# as g.i,es #o .nfa+i ia* co.n#*!" B.# )ha# )e*e Renaissance phi osophe*s .p #o( an, ho) +igh# #hei* goa s an, achie-e+en#s /e *e e-an# #o con#e+po*a*! phi osoph!G The +os# o/-io.s fac# a/o.# Renaissance phi osophe*s is #ha# #he /es# of #he+ 7 h.+anis#s( scho as#ics an, DDne) phi osophe*s@@ a i6e 7 )e*e ,e#e*+ine, #o /*ea6 o.# of #he na**o) *ange of app*o-e, A*is#o#e ian #e0#/oo6s #ha# ha, p*o-i,e, #he fa*e of #hi*#een#h4 an, ea* ! fo.*#een#h4cen#.*! scho as#ic phi osoph!" P*o,,e, /! h.+anis#s( .ni-e*si#! phi osophe*s #*ie, #o enhance #he 1.a i#! of #hei* #eaching /! ea*ning G*ee6( /! i+p*o-ing #he 1.a i#! of #*ans a#ions an, /! ac1.i*ing a +.ch +o*e #ho*o.gh 6no) e,ge of #he ancien#(M.s i+( Je)ish an, +e,ie-a Ch*is#ian co++en#a*! #*a,i#ion" Despi#e so+e nois! con#*o-e*sies( +os# scho as#ics )e*e *e+a*6a/ ! .np*e3.,ice, )hen i# ca+e #o *ea,ing #he )o*6 of A*is#o#e ian co++en#a#o*s in o#he* fai#h #*a,i#ions" This )as a *ea,! #*.e in #heMi,, e Ages an, i# /eca+e e-en #*.e* in #he Renaissance" O.#si,e #he .ni-e*si#ies( h.+anis#s )e*e /.si ! engage, in *eco-e*ing #he he*i#age of ancien# pagan phi osoph! an, #heo og!( *econs#*.c#ing an, p*o+o#ing as phi osophica a #e*na#i-es ancien# P a#onis+( s6ep#icis+( Epic.*eanis+( an, S#oicis+" Ne) phi osophe*s i6e Ma*si io =icino( Pico ,e a Mi*an,o a( an, =*ancesco Pa#*i5i )e*e #*!ing #o *eco-e* )ha# #he! #ho.gh# )as #he #heosophica )is,o+ of ancien# Eg!p#( Pe*sia( G*eece( an, Is*ae " In #he Ne) 2o* , an, #he =a* Eas#( Ca#ho ic +issiona*ies #*aine, in E.*ope@s phi osoph! c ass*oo+s )e*e s#.,!ing #he *e igion an, phi osoph! of na#i-e peop es in La#in A+e*ica( Japan( China an, So.#h Asia"Man! of #he+ ea*ne, #ha# #o con-e*# o#he*s #o one@s o)n fai#h( e-en )hen /ac6e, /! #he s)o*,( *e1.i*es a 6in, of con-e*sion of one@s o)n" E-e*!)he*e one senses a p*ofo.n, ,issa#isfac#ion )i#h #he e0is#ing *eso.*ces of E.*opean in#e ec#.a ife an, a ,e#e*+ina#ion #o app*op*ia#e #he )is,o+ an, 6no) e,ge of o#he* c. #.*es an, *e igions" &E$

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The /e)i ,e*ing f oo, of ne) a*g.+en#s( ne) #e0#s( an, ne) pe*spec#i-es( )hose i+pac# )as -as# ! +. #ip ie, #h*o.gh #he p*in#ing p*ess( enfo*ce, *a,ica *e#hin6ings of Ch*is#iani#! an, )ha# i# +ean# #o /e a Ch*is#ian" Ch*is#iani#! /o#h as a i-e, #*a,i#ion an, as a #e0#.a #*a,i#ion of co.*se ha, /een s./3ec# #o *ein#e*p*e#a#ion f*o+ i#s ea* ies# ,a!s( /.# #he shee* -o .+e of ne) non4Ch*is#ian #e0#s( )hose *eco-e*! coinci,e, )i#h #he )aning a.#ho*i#! of #he Ca#ho ic +agis#e*i.+( p ace, .ni1.e s#*esses on #he ,og+a#ic s#*.c#.*es .pho ,ing Ch*is#ian i,en#i#!" Phi osophe*s #oo6 #he ea, in he ping Ch*is#ian socie#! e-o -e #o)a*,s ne) se f4.n,e*s#an,ings" Man! a,op#e, conse*-a#i-e o* co+p*o+ise posi#ions( /.# #he*e )e*e a so +an! )ho so.gh# #o .se ancien# phi osophica #heo og! o* ne) science #o /*ing a/o.# a #ho*o.gh *efo*+ of( an, e-en a *e/e ion agains#( #*a,i#iona ,og+as an, a.#ho*i#ies" O#he*s i6e C.san.s( =icino( an, Gio-anni Pico ,e a Mi*an,o a so.gh# #o ci-i i5e an e0c .si-is# Ch*is#iani#! /! opening i# .p #o )is,o+ f*o+ o#he* fai#h #*a,i#ionsAH s#i o#he*s( i6e Se/as#ian Cas#e io an, Mon#aigne( pionee*e, ne) concep#ions of #o e*ance fo* *e igio.s an, c. #.*a ,i-e*si#!"< E*as+.s cha enge, #he c*.sa,ing i,ea an, o#he* h.+anis#s espo.se, i*enic an, *e a#i-is#ic a##i#.,es e-en #o)a*,s #he T.*6s( #he g*ea#es# e0#e*na #h*ea# #o 2es#e*n socie#ies in #he Renaissance"8 Tha# 2es#e*n socie#! ,i, no# go #he )a! of Is a+ic socie#ies in #his pe*io, o)es +.ch #o #he co++i#+en# of Renaissance phi osophe*s #o see6ing o.# an, ,efen,ing( so+e#i+es a# #he cos# of #hei* i-es an, *ep.#a#ions( #*.#h )he*e-e* i# co. , /e fo.n,"% This is( in,ee,( ano#he* s#*i6ing cha*ac#e*is#ic of Renaissance phi osophe*sI #he ,eg*ee of #hei* engage+en# )i#h #he )o* ,( #hei* 5ea fo* *efo*+" The h.+anis# +o-e+en# fi*s# gaine, +o*a a.#ho*i#! )hen Pe#*a*ch ga-e i# #he p.*pose of inc. ca#ing -i*#.e an, e o1.ence" H.+anis#s )e*e in p*incip e co++i##e, #o n.*#.*ing #he pa#*io#is+( p*.,ence( an, ci-ic -i*#.e of socia e i#es /! ho ,ing .p #o #he+ i,ea i5e, i+ages of ancien# he*oes an, sages" In so ,oing #he! change,( once again( #he e0c .si-is# a##i#.,es of #he Ch*is#ian )o* , #o ano#he* c. #.*e( in #his case #he c. #.*e of G*aeco4Ro+an an#i1.i#!" Tha# is )h! #he! p.# c a*i#! an, pe*s.asion fi*s# an, ,espise, #echnica ( specia i5e, ,e/a#e" I# )as ano#he* h.+anis# #hin6e*( Tho+as Mo*e( )ho ini#ia#e, #he #*a,i#ion of .#opian i#e*a#.*e( )hich /eca+e a po)e*f. -ehic e fo* socia c*i#icis+ an, *efo*+" B.# scho as#ic phi osophe*s co. , /e engage, )i#h #he )o* , a*o.n, #he+ as )e " Th*o.gho.# #he Renaissance an, /e!on, /o#h h.+anis# an, scho as#ic p*ofesso*s +anifes#e, a fi*+( if pe*haps +isp ace,( /e ief #ha# p./ ic ec#.*e co.*ses on #e0#s i6e Cice*o@s On D.#ies an, A*is#o# e@s E#hics co. , )o*6 posi#i-e change in #he #o)ns an, ci#ies of E.*ope"$' Scho as#ic phi osophe*s in #he Hispanic #*a,i#ion .se, #hei* high p*es#ige #o e a/o*a#e +o*a f*a+e)o*6s )i#h #he ai+ of *es#*aining

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Spanish +i i#a*is+ an, co onia e0p oi#a#ion" The! e0pan,e, -as# ! #he +e,ie-a #*a,i#ion of app !ing +o*a phi osoph! #o econo+ic ife" Ne) phi osophe*s i6e C.san.s an, Bessa*ion )e*e ac#i-e ! in-o -e, in achie-ing *econci ia#ion /e#)een #he Eas#e*n an, 2es#e*n Ch*is#ian ch.*ches an, in o*gani5ing #he ,efense of Ch*is#en,o+ agains# #he T.*6ish #h*ea#" =icino ac#e, as a spi*i#.a g.i,e #o se-e*a gene*a#ions of = o*en#ine pa#*icians" Ca+pane a #*ie, #o es#a/ ish a .#opian co++.ni#! in so.#he*n I#a ! an, )*o#e f*o+ p*ison a /*a-e ,efense of Ga i eo an, i/e*#as phi osophan,i" E,.ca#iona *efo*+ )as a cons#an# in#e*es# of nea* ! a Renaissance phi osophe*s" I# )o. , /e a/s.*, #o p*e#en, #ha# a #he po i#ica ( e,.ca#iona an, c. #.*a ac#i-i#ies of Renaissance #hin6e*s a*e ones #ha# can s#i /e a,+i*e, #o,a!( /.# #he fac# of #hei* in-o -e+en# in #he )o* , an, #hei* ,esi*e #o app ! #hei* phi osophica ea*ning an, ac.+en #o p*o/ e+s of #hei* )o* , canno# /e ,o./#e," E1.a ! *e+a*6a/ e an, inno-a#i-e )as #he conce*n of Renaissance phi osophe*s )i#h #he his#o*! an, cha*ac#e* of #hei* o)n ,iscip ine" I# )as on ! na#.*a in a pe*io, )hen so +an! ne) phi osophica s!s#e+s an, i,eas )e*e /eing in#*o,.ce, #ha# phi osophe*s sho. , /eco+e in#e*es#e, in co ec#ing an, c assif!ing ,a#a on #he his#o*! of phi osoph!" The a##e* ha f of #he si0#een#h cen#.*! sa) a *e+a*6a/ e e0p osion of #his #!pe of s#.,!" Ancien# his#o*ies of phi osoph! )e*e *eco-e*e, an, ne) ones )*i##enA f*ag+en#s of os# phi osophica )o*6s )e*e co ec#e, an, a**ange,"$$ Te0#s )e*e e,i#e, #o e-e* highe* s#an,a*,s an, a *ange of ne)( +o*e acc.*a#e #*ans a#ions +a,e a-ai a/ e" A+ong #he DDne) phi osophies@@ of #he a#e Renaissance +.s# /e n.+/e*e, #he phi osophies ne) ! *eco-e*e, f*o+ #he ancien# )o* ,( phi osophies )hose s!s#e+a#ic s#*.c#.*e )as on ! #hen /eginning #o /e .n,e*s#oo," If #he 1.es#ion is as6e,( as i# so of#en is( )ho co.n# as #he g*ea# phi osophe*s p*o,.ce, /! #he Renaissance( a co+p e#e ans)e* )o. , ha-e #o inc .,e A*is#o# e( P a#o( P o#in.s( Se0#.s E+pi*ic.s( an, Ma*c.s A.*e i.s( a+ong o#he*s" In a,,i#ion #o *eco-e*ing #he phi osophica he*i#age of an#i1.i#!( Renaissance phi osophe*s a so #*ie, #o achie-e a )i,e* -ie) of #he phi osophica en#e*p*ise in h.+an his#o*!" Opponen#s of scho as#icis+ #o , ne) s#o*ies a/o.# phi osoph!@s his#o*! #o co.n#e* #he A*is#o#e ian +o,e of G*ee6 phi osophica ,e-e op+en#( acco*,ing #o )hich ea* ie* phi osoph! c. +ina#e, in an, )as s.pe*se,e, /! #he A*is#o#e ian s!s#e+" Agains# #his se fse*-ing acco.n# =icino #o , a ne) s#o*!( a/o.# ho) a p*ofo.n, ancien# #heo ogica )is,o+ ha, /een occ .,e, /! #he *ise of a ess spi*i#.a phi osoph!( A*is#o# e@s( ea,ing ine-i#a/ ! #o a s.n,e*ing of pie#! an, phi osoph!" B.# a ne) age )as co+ing( he p*e,ic#e,( )hen #he *e-i-a of P a#onis+ )o. , *e.ni#e phi osoph! an, *e igion"$; Gio-anni Pico ,e a Mi*an,o a

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ha, ano#he* ans)e* fo* #he A*is#o#e iansI his +o*e P o#inian -ie) )as #ha# #he*e )as one .ni#a*! ,i-ine )is,o+ fo* a #i+es an, p aces )hich in a #i+es an, p aces )as a-ai a/ e #o #he h.+an in#e ec# conscio.s of i#s o)n ,i-ini#!" E-en#.a ! phi osophe*s i6e B*.no( Ca+pane a( Bacon( an, Desca*#es 7 in *a,ica ! ,iffe*en# )a!s 7 )o. , ho , o.# #he ,a55 ing p*ospec# of ne) .n,*ea+e,4of p*og*ess in phi osoph!( of s.*passing #he ancien#s"$& Phi osophe*s a so ,e-o#e, consi,e*a/ e #ho.gh# #o #he 1.es#ion of )ha# phi osoph! )as fo* an, i#s p*ope* *e a#ionship )i#h *e igion" If A.g.s#ine in On T*.e Re igion ha, .n,e*s#oo, Ch*is#iani#! #o /e a ne) 6in, of phi osophica ife #ha# )as *api, ! *ep acing #he nee, fo* #he spi*i#.a ,iscip ines of pagan phi osoph!( if Tho+as A1.inas an, +e,ie-a #heo ogians gene*a ! ha, ,e+o#e, phi osoph! #o se*-e as #he han,+ai,en of #heo og!( phi osophe*s f*o+ #he secon, ha f of #he #hi*#een#h cen#.*! on)a*,s ha, *aise, #he possi/i i#! #ha# phi osoph! co. , *eco-e* i#s ancien# a.#ono+! an, offe* i#s o)n( #his4)o* , ! fo*+ of happiness"$E The *a#iona *e igion of #he phi osophe*s( so+e hope,( +igh# e-en in #he en, *ep ace #ha# of #he ,og+a#is#s" I# )as #his -ision of phi osoph! #ha# . #i+a#e ! /*o.gh# Gio*,ano B*.no #o #he s#a6e in $H''" The cha enge of h.+anis+ #o scho as#icis+ /*o.gh# )i#h i# s#i ano#he* concep#ion of phi osoph!( a Cice*onian o* J.in#i ianic one in )hich phi osoph! )as ,ee+e, #o /e one of se-e*a ci-i sciences( o*ien#e, #o #he ac#i-e ife an, #he #as6s of *. ing #he *esp./ ica"$F P*o#es#an#is+( on #he o#he* han,( a##ac6e, #he #*a,i#ion of phi osophica #heo og! an, .n,e*+ine, #he i,ea of phi osoph! as se f4+as#e*!( as an a.#ono+o.s pa#h #o happiness" O#he* phi osophe*s( ,*i-en .n,e*g*o.n, /! pe*sec.#ion( n.*#.*e, in sec*e# #he i,ea of phi osoph! as an eso#e*ic )is,o+( a ea*ne, +agic #ha# ga-e access #o occ. # po)e*s in na#.*e an, #he h.+an so. " =ina !( #he ,i-ision of E.*ope in#o )a**ing confessiona ca+ps has#ene, #he #*ansfo*+a#ion of phi osoph! in#o a +e*e /o,! of ,oc#*ines o* se# of posi#ions( ec ipsing i#s ancien# *o e as a )a! of ife"$H In sho*#( Renaissance phi osoph! offe*s +an! pa*a e s )i#h #he phi osoph! of o.* o)n #i+e" In o.* e*a #oo )e ha-e seen #he f*ac#.*ing an, c*isis of a.#ho*i#i-e #*a,i#ions( a ne) p .*a is+ of phi osophica pe*spec#i-es( an .nse## ing info*+a#ion *e-o .#ion( an, passiona#e aspi*a#ions #o in#eg*a#e in#o phi osophica ,isco.*se #he )is,o+ i#e*a#.*e of non42es#e*n #*a,i#ions" 2e #oo ha-e phi osophe*s hos#i e #o s!s#e+ an, *igo*o.s ,e+ons#*a#ion )ho ,o./# #he possi/i i#! of apo,ic#ic a*g.+en#( phi osophe*s )ho )o. , p*efe* #o see phi osoph! /eco+e a fo*+ of ps!chic #he*ap! o* a ci-i con-e*sa#ion o* a fo*+ of pe*s.asion an, e,ifica#ion" 2e #oo ha-e o.* s6ep#ics an, fi,eis#sA )e #oo ha-e #hose )ho sea*ch in phi osoph!@s pas# fo* a #e*na#i-e -isions of #he phi osophica ife" 2e #oo ha-e phi osophe*s fie*ce ! co++i##e, #o a )i,e *ange of posi#ions on #he p*ope* *e a#ionship /e#)een

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fai#h an, *eason" 2e #oo ha-e phi osophe*s )ho ai+ #o inf .ence p./ ic ,e i/e*a#ion an, shape p./ ic ife" If Renaissance phi osoph! ,oes no# p*o+ise #he i++e,ia#e p*ofi# of so+e o#he* pe*io,s in #he his#o*! of #ho.gh#( if i# ,oes no# a )a!s offe* *ea,!4+a,e a*g.+en#s an, insigh#s .sef. in c.**en# aca,e+ic ,e/a#es( i# ne-e*#he ess offe*s )ha# can /e #he +os# *e-ea ing insigh# of a 7 #he insigh# #ha# co+es f*o+ oo6ing in a +i**o*"

NOTES $" Boen6e ;''F" ;" Menn $%%8aA A*ie) $%%%" &" Co ins $%%8" An in#e*es#ing ,isc.ssion of #he his#o*ica *easons )h! Renaissance phi osophe*s en3o! ess p*es#ige #o,a! #han #hose of #he se-en#een#h cen#.*! is in Copenha-e* an, Sch+i## $%%;( ch" H" E" =o.ca. # $%<$( Ro*#! $%<%( MacIn#!*e $%8E( To. +in $%%'" F" See 2as)o $%8< an, #he c*i#i1.es in Monfasani $%%E" H" Han6ins ;''H/" =o* #he Ch*is#ian s#.,! of J.,ais+ see Co.,e*# an, Sho. son ;''E" <" Ne,e*+an an, La.*sen $%%H" 8" M.s#o $%%$A Han6ins $%%FA Bisaha ;''E" %" =o* a co+pa*ison )i#h #he Is a+ic )o* ,( )hich *e+aine, co+pa*a#i-e ! e0c .si-is# in *e igion an, inc.*io.s a/o.# #he non4M.s i+ )o* ,( see Le)is ;''&" $'" See chap#e* $H a/o-e an, #he c*i#i1.e of #his -ie) /! MacIn#!*e ;''H" $$" See Han6ins an, Pa +e* ;''< fo* +an! e0a+p es" $;" Han6ins $%%'aA B ai* ;'''a" $&" Bo##in e# a " $%%&" $E" Bianchi ;''&( ch" ;" $F" See Ba*/a*o an, Pico ,e a Mi*an,o a $%%8( ;&7&$" $H" See chap#e* $; in #his -o .+e an, Con,*en( H.n#e* an, Ga.6*oge* ;''H"

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