Republic of the Philippines

Bicol University
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES & PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy Department
Daraga, Albay

NAME: JOZIEL LEIANN V. OPORTO

SUBJECT: HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY 2
COURSE AND YEAR: AB PHILOSOPHY 2

What defines the Renaissance period? Was it in basic terms an age of creative and cultural rebirth,
or did it lengthen to the nation-states of philosophy and mental thought as well? This interesting
question lies at the heart of our exploration of the features of the Renaissance philosophy.

Renaissance philosophy emerged as a one-of-a-kind mental motion from the 14th to seventeenth
centuries, alongside the flourishing of artwork and literature, marked by a revival of classical ideals
and renewed hobbies in humanism. One of its outstanding facets was the profound shift from the
medieval scholasticism of the Middle Ages to a more human-centric approach, emphasizing the
price of character trips and the conceivable for human reason. Renaissance philosophers such as
Petrarch and Erasmus championed the learning of classical texts and advocated for a return to the
wisdom of historic Greece and Rome, radically influencing their philosophical inquiries.
Humanism, a central tenet of Renaissance thought, celebrated the dignity of the individual,
embracing the notion that human beings possess the functionality to shape their future and
contribute to the improvement of society. Another key feature was the reconciliation of trust and
reason, as Renaissance philosophers sought to harmonize religious beliefs with new rationalism,
exemplified by figures like Pico della Mirandola. Exploration of the natural world gained
prominence in the course of the Renaissance, with philosophers such as Leonardo da Vinci
pioneering empirical commentary and experimentation. Ethics also occupied a pivotal position in
Renaissance philosophy, as pupils like Niccolò Machiavelli delved into political morality and the
nature of power. The revival of historical philosophies, especially the works of Plato and Aristotle,
has prompted profound debates about the relationship between persons and society, knowledge,
and ethics. The embody of skepticism, considered in the works of Montaigne, added a critical point
of view to Renaissance philosophy, challenging dogmas, and encouraging intellectual exploration.
Renaissance philosophy was characterized by its humanism, synthesis of belief and reason,
fascination with the herbal world, and deep engagement with classical thought, all of which
contributed to the mental ferment of the era.

In conclusion, the Renaissance duration was no longer restricted to creative and cultural renewal
alone; it witnessed a vibrant philosophical resurgence. As we have seen, Renaissance philosophy
was marked by a shift in the direction of humanism, reconciliation of belief and reason, fascination
with the natural world, and rekindling of hobbies in classical thought. This technology of
intellectual exploration and transformation laid the groundwork for many cutting-edge
philosophical ideas that continue to shape the world.

REFERENCES:
https://iep.utm.edu/renaissa/