David Sasson October 10, 2010

Ms. Solomon AP Euro

Individualism and Secularism in the Renaissance

The Renaissance affected society in several ways. This essay will consider the

influence of individualism and secularism in the Renaissance. Both forces profoundly

shaped the birth of humanism, changing the evolution of Western civilization. Because of

humanism, education spurred, creativity flourished, and trade expanded. Western culture

was forever changed by this ideal, which inspired a rebirth in arts and humanities and

permitted the development of scientific inquiry and discovery.

Individualism, the focus on developing individual talents and curiosities, was key

in the pursuit of discovery and the reclamation of education in Renaissance society.

Society was directed into becoming classically educated, with Greek and Roman

literature gaining in influence. Also, the humanities, including painting, writing and

history, became much more important during the Renaissance. The growth of portraits as

an art form emphasized the importance of the individual in society. As well as having a

well-educated mind, you needed to be physically able and fit. This sense of education

and athleticism created the concept of the Universal Man. The ideal of human perfection

in mortal life contrasted sharply with the Middle-Ages ideal of perfection after death.

Individualism empowered generations of independent thinkers and motivated questions

about natural science that challenged religious and societal norms.

Secularism is basically what we now recognize as the separation of powers

between Church and State. Its core thesis is that government should exist as a distinct

structure, apart from the Church. With roots in Greek and Roman philosophy, the growth

of secularism in Renaissance society parallels the growth of individualism. Both

philosophies credit humanity with rights and responsibilities that exist outside of

religious structures. This kind of thinking was an extremely radical shift from the

philosophy of the Middle Ages, in which human life on earth was governed entirely by

religion, and in which the present life was meaningless compared to the afterlife in

Heaven. In The Prince, for example, Machiavelli focuses on moral principles – “it is

better to be feared than loved” – and on the power of the individual to make his or her

own choices, rather than being bound by religious destiny. This is an example of

secularism in Renaissance politics that persists into our 21st-century civilization, where it

still better to be feared than loved.

Both individualism and secularism contributed to the growth of humanism by

emphasizing the role of the individual in society, and by separating the governance of

society from the Church. Individual discoveries and achievements in art and literature

would have been impossible without the rise of individualism, and society is richer for

the contributions of DaVinci, Michelangelo and Castiglione. Contemporary government

structures in many parts of the world today have their roots in secularism, like the

American division of church and state and the governing body of the European Union.

Humanism would not have been possible if individualism was always suppressed in

society – or if religious oppression limited human curiosity, scientific discovery, and

artistic expression.