Investigation into science at the period of renaissance was not just a matter of intelligence, but of support, environment, authority and patronage. Great fame and influence was conferred upon the great artists of the day, and they were celebrated wherever they travelled.
Like all arts, scientific research needed funding and backing of the cause. While the realms of superstition, astrology and mathematical perception continued to flourish, the artists whom began to push their understanding of the natural world beyond that of the ancients, and of doctrinal popular theology. In a time of scepticism to deviations from the Catholic Church in Italy this was dangerously close to paganism and heresy, but in England, where the church had no word higher then the king, there was a different level of acceptance. While the Italian renaissance was a century before any nature of renaissance movement occurred in Europe, the renaissance movement that occurred elsewhere was based on different principles. Although often spoken under the same name, the concept of renaissance, and the concept of renaissance science were greatly varied between years and nations. The renaissance activity that flourished in England, for example, modern historians classify as activity of the scientific revolution beginning in 1550. The renaissance that had flourished in Italy, the birthplace of humanism and classical revival, had little extraordinary impact, as the developments in science did.
With the rise of the Renaissance, new interest sparked in reference to the physical world. In part boosted by the spirit of geographical exploration, which dominated Europe and provided many new specimens for study and experimentation, the artists and thinkers of the Renaissance were infused with the desire to know and portray reality, prompting a dramatic rise in scientific exploration. Botany and biology flourished, as artists sought to better understand their subjects. This focus on the investigation of reality naturally began to create questions regarding the accepted Aristotelian norms. However, learning institutions continued to preach the Aristotelian system and the Church reinforced the dependence on past authority, thus, to an extent, drowning out the spirit of inquiry and doubt.
In keeping with the spirit of humanism, artists of the early Renaissance strove to portray lifelike human forms with correct proportions and realistic clothing and expressions. Artists developed new techniques to give paintings a more three-dimensional, life-like quality, and commonly studied human and animal anatomy in efforts to better understand their subjects. Michelangelo was said to have studied the human physic and anatomy as to ‘desire to write, for the sake of sculptors and painters, a treatise on the human anatomy.’ These new techniques were not merely an epiphany of creative thinking. Artists at the forefront of realism, such as Giotto and Leonardo were among the earliest renaissance botanists, attempting to understanding physical nature and function of the body, and world without reference to a higher power. Leonardo di Vinci’s was one whose devotion in gaining a complete understanding of his environment was eminent. His admission to ‘proceed till (I) come to the end with complete knowledge, then I repeat twice to see the difference’, is evidence not only to this new attitude of inquiry and knowledge, but is evidence to the first signs of empiricism, the cult of the later 16th century. Leonardo was however an extremist in this area, it was not standard practice, even in this Cultural Revolution, to question, or indeed refute the accepted “facts”.
Despite the advances in science and the efforts of the scientists of the sixteenth century to demonstrate that the world and universe, were governed by discernable laws, the intellectual build up to Scientific Revolution had little impact on the everyday lives and thoughts of the mass of European citizens . For example, despite the advances in biology and the subsequent development in medical theory, serious misconceptions about the human body remained widely adhered to. The discoveries of the renaissance that overturned the tenets of traditional belief systems were only gradually accepted by the general population, and were often rejected by those who found their traditional beliefs easier to comprehend, as well as more congruent with the beliefs of their neighbours and of their church. Throughout the sixteenth century, despite the breakthroughs made in astronomy and physics, most Europeans retained a belief in astrology, ghosts, and magic.
The reception (or non-reception) of this renaissance in science across Europe demonstrates the stratification of society into levels of citizens to whom the progress of science was accessible and understandable and those to whom the progress of science was neither accessible nor understandable. For even though many of the advances made were not wholeheartedly accepted by the elites and intellectuals of the day, at the very least something of the spirit of the times touched their lives and prepared them for the dawning of new beliefs, the scientific nature of which they were often educated enough to comprehend. Even in cultural keyholes like Florence, the masses were largely untouched by the sentiment of the times and unprepared for any news of progress and revolutionary change that might trickle down to their ears. Despite advances in literacy and the wider spread of books which resulted from the proliferation of the printing press, the common European was left largely in the dark as to what was occurring in the world of science, and even if suddenly enlightened would not have possessed the intellectual background to assimilate the knowledge of progress into his or her concept of the world.
Thus when the first signs of the Scientific Revolution began to show themselves to the masses, ‘many reacted, not surprisingly, in fear and disbelief.’
To the common man, there was no foundation to doubt or question his beliefs, or desire to expand past his own world. The voice that reached to the masses remained, as it had been, the church. Ruled by its rigid doctrine, the church did not support anything remotely threatening to its own status. The combination of the influence of the Church and the traditions which had been passed down for hundreds of years produced an attitude of mysticism which seemed to answer all of the difficult questions of everyday life. Events in the natural world occurred not because of the interaction of mechanical forces but because of the influence of the positioning of the planets. This was a convenient and well-ingrained belief system.
But this attitude was not only of the low educated. After centuries, this belief system was so ingrained that even scientists themselves often fell prey to it, Often ignoring their discoveries in search of conclusions more amiable to church thought.
Mind over matter was a common dilemma faced by the thinkers of the sixteenth century. The ancient traditions exercised a strong pull on many scientists, who often allowed the supposed authorities of the past, or even simply the spirit of the past, to cloud their judgment and limit the progress made by their work.
A temptation exists to see science as separate from the world, as something pure and rational. Similarly, it is tempting to see the New approach to science as a movement that existed as somehow separate from the world in which it emerged.
In the Middle Ages, religious salvation had occupied the position of utmost importance, during the Renaissance, humanism, stressing the need for individuals to reach their potential in this world, rose up to accompany and rival the goal of salvation. . However, the events of this Revolution in science, in its origins within the political and religious traditions of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, sought vital impact in the bringing of the reformation, and enlightenment periods that followed. The very experiences of the scientists themselves show that the scientific revolution functioned as part of society, played a vital role as cause of and reaction to a changing world
Bibliography
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Pierre.M,(1985) The Renaissance Castreman: Belgium
Summery:
Admittedly intended for a younger reader, this book was still really informative, as the writer was not caught up in his language, but rather in explaining the era clearly.
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Halpin.J., (1978) From Columbus to Cromwell: Ireland, England and Europe circa 1450-1660 Fletcher and Sons: London
Summary:
This book read a little like a teachers guide, but was full of information not just restricted to the key renaissance years, but showed the continuity of renaissance culture and the different developments and receptions it gained across Europe, in light of discovery, the scientific revolution and reformation.
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Bull.G., (1968) The Renaissance Fletcher and Sons: London
Summary:
This is a very informative book, but I didn’t find it as easily applicable as some of the other texts. Possibly to do with the style of writing, but I found in comparison to some of the other texts it was quite restrictive, when there was ample opportunity to further discuss.
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Carins.T., (1975) Renaissance and Reformation, he beginning of Modern Europe Cambridge University Press: London
Summary:
Very informative, succinctly written and was easy to follow the authors development of ideas. I especially liked the isolated areas of study, while this may not be ideal in the historians perspective, in light of additional reading, it helped redistinguish the who, what, where, when factor
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Harris.N., (1986) Spotlight on renaissance Europe Wayland publishers: Sussex
Summary:
These books were once again written supposably for a younger audience, but they are brilliant! The key appeal of this book is undistinguishable, but great factors include its broad focus a) On Europe as a whole, b) on all areas of society, and c) that it doesn’t take a single attitude in discussing any topic, but rather can confuse the reader by claiming more then one perspective
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Butterfeild.H., (1962) The Origins of Modern Science G.Bell and Sons: London
Summary:
This is the book I can regard as the most informative text this essay can credit to. Very essential, applicable to the topic, and easy to read, I was very appreciative of its, well, existence! Helped me distinguish the floor plan of my essay, and in interpreting the topic question. Also helped in distinguishing what was and wasn’t valid to the topic
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Gilmore.M.P.,(1952) The World of Humanism Harper Brothers Press: London
Summary:
Brilliant book, so helpful. This was the first book I read and was such a find, lots of great information on the developments of science, and on the character or the artist, turned experimenter.
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Koenigsberger.H.G., (1987) A History of Europe Longman Inc:New York
Summary:
This is an old friend from last semester. A brilliant book, the medieval/renaissance student bible! Broad perspective and analysis of Europe, not only as the continent at the time, but as the dual collaboration of many independent and individual cultures and countries, across all spheres and influences.
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Hale.J.R., (1971) Renaissance Europe 1480-1520 Fontana:Suffolk
Summary:
Era specific and very informative, I love the area specificity, and how it manages to isolate a section of study, and still relate it to the wider perspective. I admittedly used it fundamentally to get my head around the topic of renaissance, but in return used it to greater acknowledgement. These penguin books on the specific centuries are fantastic!
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Miller.T.,(1985) Spotlight on the Age of Enlightenment Wayland publishers:Sussex
Summery:
Another old friend from earlier study, this just helped me in its summery of the scientific revolution and science to that point.
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Elton.G.R.,(1968) Renaissance and reformation, 1300-1648 Mcmillian publishing:London
Summery:
I didn’t use this book half to its potential, not only does it supply heaps of primary documents as a second reference to the traditional portable readers, but it supplies great summaries as well. If Id lefty myself more time I would have definitely read it more thoroughly and taken full advantage of it.
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Condivi. A.,(1553) Michelangelo Buonarrotii as sited in Portable Renaissance Reader edited Ross.J.B & McLaughlin.M.M (1953) Viking Penguin:Middlesex
Summery;
A biographical piece on Michelangelo and his work. It’s really a very interesting piece. Irrelevantly, I read but didn’t use the pieces on Leonardo di Vinci, and was enthralled. Such amazingly perceptive men to be able to do what they did in a time, true of creative expansion, but still plagued by a history of regulation, and in a society still bound by dogma and regulation. These men found a voice, a language that allowed them to discover and discuss what was never perceived or mentioned to be debatable.
H.G. Koenigsberger A History of Europe Longman Inc:New York, 1987
Pierre.M,(1985) The Renaissance Castreman:Belgium
Harris.N, (1986) Spotlight on renaissance Europe Wayland publishers:Sussex
Pierre.M,(1985) The Renaissance Castreman:Belgium
Harris.N, (1986) Spotlight on renaissance Europe Wayland publishers:Sussex
Bull.G, (1968) The Renaissance Fletcher and Sons: London
Elton,G.R(1968) Renaissance and reformation, 1300-1648 Mcmillian publishing:London
Carins.T, (1975) Renaissance and Reformation, he beginning of Modern Europe Cambridge University Press:London
Pierre.M,(1985) The Renaissance Castreman:Belgium
Harris.N, (1986) Spotlight on renaissance Europe Wayland publishers:Sussex
Butterfeild.H, (1962) The Origins of Modern Science G.Bell and Sons:London
Carins.T, (1975) Renaissance and Reformation, he beginning of Modern Europe Cambridge University Press:London
Gilmore.M.P,(1952) The World of Humanism Harper Brothers Press:London
Condivi, A.(1553) Michelangelo Buonarrotii as sited in Portable Renaissance Reader edited Ross.J.B & McLaughlin.M.M (1953) Viking Penguin:Middlesex
Pierre.M,(1985) The Renaissance Castreman:Belgium
Gilmore.M.P,(1952) The World of Humanism Harper Brothers Press:London
Miller.T(1985), Spotlight on the Age of Enlightenment Wayland publishers:Sussex
Elton,G.R(1968) Renaissance and reformation, 1300-1648 Mcmillian publishing:London
Gilmore.M.P,(1952) The World of Humanism Harper Brothers Press:London
Harris.N, (1986) Spotlight on renaissance Europe Wayland publishers:Sussex
Hale.J.R (1971) Renaissance Europe 1480-1520 Fontana:Suffolk
Harris.N, (1986) Spotlight on renaissance Europe Wayland publishers:Sussex
Gilmore.M.P,(1952) The World of Humanism Harper Brothers Press:London
Halpin,J. (1978) From Columbus to Cromwell: Ireland, England and Europe circa 1450-1660 Fletcher and Sons: London