Humanism helped establish the importance of individual achievment and merit, leading to a strong merchant class.
Ever notice how many isms there are in the world? Socialism, pointillism, totalitarianism, fascism, to name a few. This weeks article looks at one of the most profound isms that still influences us today; Humanism.
Webster defines humanism as “concern with human beings rather than with religions.” It is a nice, neat definition. Wikipedia gives this prettier, but still simple description, “…a commitment to the search for truth and morality through human means in support of human interests.” Neither of these definitions scratches the surface of all that humanism has affected. Of course, the influence of humanism is pretty hard to sum up in a dictionary or encyclopedia. Or even in an article here at Suite101. However, I will try.
Humanism helped make life beautiful, once more. Everyday objects took on new meaning. Artists took time to paint and sculpt the ordinary happenings of everyday life: lovers kissing goodbye, a simple bouquet of flowers, a serving girl wearing a pearl earring.
Humanism also helped bring about a change in the way people viewed themselves. Scholars began to study what it meant to be human. Concern with human beings rather than with religions. Life did not have to be a journey to suffer through, on the way to Heaven. Man could enjoy life on earth, without offending God.
Most importantly, at least in my humble opinion, humanism brought about the belief that the individual mattered. Individual merit mattered as much, if not more, than ones birthright or social status. By focusing on the individual, and rewarding individual achievements, people had something for which to strive. No longer did a peasant have to remain a peasant. With hard work, determination, and help from those around him, a peasant could better himself, and his family, for generations to come. Humanism helped re-establish democratic ideals. In just a few hundred years, these ideals would rock the very foundation of European society, and lead to the birth of new nations.
