How did humanism affect the Enlightenment?
Humanism played a significant role in shaping the Enlightenment period by promoting the idea of the importance of reason, individualism, and the pursuit of knowledge. Humanism emphasized human potential and the idea that individuals were capable of using reason to improve themselves and society. This emphasis on reason and individualism laid the foundation for the Enlightenment's focus on rational inquiry, scientific progress, and the questioning of traditional authority.
Furthermore, humanism's emphasis on the value of education and the pursuit of knowledge helped to inspire the Enlightenment's belief in the power of education and the importance of intellectual inquiry. Humanist ideas also contributed to the development of a more liberal and secular outlook on society, challenging the authority of the church and promoting the idea of individual freedom and autonomy.
Overall, humanism helped to pave the way for the Enlightenment by promoting the values of reason, individualism, and the pursuit of knowledge, which were central to the intellectual developments of the period.