Humanism and religion in the Medieval Era - Essay Example

Impact of Humanism on Religion in the Medieval Era Each person's life can be viewed as a unique story in a theatrical play. A play whichshows how diverse people can be, their roles, cultures, social expectations, course of actions, pains and obstacles as well as the degree of spiritual needs and philosophies in life that can go far beyond to reach one's fulfillment or humanism. Humanism is a philosophy of joyful service for the benefit of all humanity; methods of reason, democracy and science are advocated in this service.

It often connotes for one's devotion to the interests of individuals and society, wherever they are and whatever their status (Lamont, 1997). It is the belief in a mystical God, or any Supernatural being (Wilson, 2000). In the medieval period, philosophical viewpoints are regarded as continental and analytic. Philosophers were identified for their quest for wisdom which in turn, shapes their lives in various respects. The influence of philosophy is very perceptible in Christian theology, so with Islamic spirituality.

In Syria (Marrone, 2006), for example, the philosophy of the late Antique continued to be upheld among a learned level at the most high of the dominated society. Years after in the West were preeminently in the Islamic race that the intellectual expedition for wisdom persisted and continued. Muslim scholarship results to monumental succession of commentaries on Aristotle's. The evolution of exploratory thought in the Muslim world scored a considerable enhancement of the philosophical tradition of late Antiquity (Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2008).

To Augustine, philosophy may refer to Christian understanding about several things and to him understanding is only made possible through faith. Isaiah (7:9) says, "Unless you believe, you shall not understand". Thus, philosophy is impossible in the absence or religious faith (McGrade, 2006). Furthermore, in relation to faith, Christianity is renowned as the most popular and influential philosophy that has become a central component of the cultures. In fact, the history of Western culture is unfinished without the influences of Christianity.

The unique purpose of art is culture (Parker, 2005), the enhancement of the spirit. Indeed, one who would match up to the influence of art and life at the present time might conjecture the early extinction of that controls altogether. Art is valued for its very own sake, for its involvement to culture, not for any supplementary influence upon life. The development of the relative of religion to life is analogous to the development of art. In the beginning, religion infiltrates every activity; now, by disparity, it has been removed starting one after another of the foremost human pursuits.

Literature and the drama, once inspired by modern social problems, put forward exceptions to this isolation, for in the course of their ability to express ideas more pervasive influence can be exerted. Although social problems are settled in obedience to services and demands ahead of the control of artists, literary appearance is effective in convincing and drawing into a pressure group men whose position would tend to make them antagonistic or indifferent. Art in the context of humanism principle, values became an integral component.

In relation to this, the work of art and aesthetics (Munro, 1946) interplay during the medieval period. Aesthetics is occasionally listed among the distinguished branches of philosophy, or sometimes not. Student can read a long story about the history of philosophy as well as surveys of modern-day problems, without finding out that aesthetics exists. Philosophers have sound as if they have given up writing new schemes of their own, although they do intermittently produce these brief quintessences for the young.

But Blanshard, et.al, (1945) revealed that, the American Philosophical Association Commission have omitted aesthetics from its poll of the basic lessons in philosophy and emphasized art as one extra-philosophical focus which should be analyzed. It is fitted on such programs of common aid between connected humanities in three (3) principal ways: first, in the course of the analytical disciplines in philosophical and of aesthetics linguistics; second, by involvement to the history of ideas; and third, in its analysis and criticism about human being's moral and speculative ideals which are basically expressed in literature and the arts.

On the other hand, Christianity has indeed broadened its influence to numerous works of Western art. As one may recall, artists make use of their artworks to express or articulate their own faith, illustrate Biblical events and insights on Christianity. The work of artists is created to have an extraordinary effect on the viewer. By looking at the several works of art, it can be observed that many are devotionals, which enable others to draw their mind too deeply on the subject of their faith and beliefs.

Other works are also created to teach the viewer. Few artworks seemed dramatic and emotional, are purposely to make the viewer be aware of a sense of love, apprehension, or respect for Christianity. Many of the immense artistic works of the time rooted from religious inspiration. The Church of Santa Maria Novella which is based Florence is a valuable structure of the time. Further than the religious influence in art, though, there was a deeper pressure group involving religion during the period of renaissance in Florence.

Certainly, some music, poetry, sculpture and painting are in the service of religion. Men still pray for rain for the period of drought, but also possibly without faith. During the middle age, people were taught not to question religious doctrine or the Church, but the Renaissance brought about an era of scientific thought and challenge to religious institutions. People were influenced by discoveries of the inner and outer universe. They explored freedom and necessity, and thus the concept of Christianity and religion as a whole was weakened.

Many people felt religion should be an affair of the individual and personal feeling, not something regulated by institutions or the Pope for that matter. Epicureanism and atheism sprouted from such beliefs as the belief in God began to waver (Parker, 2005). The influence of art remains indirect and may affect realistic action in a more tangible fashion. Unobtrusively, a work of art will make over the background of values away from which action springs. The influence is more than ever potent during the early on years of life, before the framework of valuations is fixed.

The effect is not to root any particular act, yet, so to pattern the mind that each act performed is diverse because of this influence. So again, what is the influence of art in the midst of religion Even when no longer acknowledged as true its influence may persist, because the values they embody be defeated none of their compulsion. Each particular religion is intended to go by starting the sphere of faith into that of art. REFERENCES Haley, M. C., (1988) Semeiosis of poetic metaphor, Indiana Univ.

Press, Bloomington. Lamont, F.C. (1997) The philosophy of humanism (8th ed.). Humanist Press: A division of the American Humanist Association, 7 Harwood Drive, P.O. Box 1188 Amherst, NY 14226-7188. Marrone, S. 2006. Cambridge Companions Online Cambridge University Press, 2006, McGrade, A.S. 2006.The Campbridge Companion to Medieval Philosophy. Campbridge University Press. Munro, T. (1946) Aesthetics and philosophy in american colleges, The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, Vol. 4, No. 3. (Mar., 1946), pp. 180-187. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2008.

Christianity. Minneapolis Institute of Arts 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404 Parker, D. (2005) The principles of aesthetics. Retrieved January 26, 2009 from http://www.worldspirituality.org/art-religion.html Wilson, E. H., (2000) Executive Director American Humanist Association, the Humanist. Wintermute , C. (1992) The assault on public education - what does it mean for humanist values and principles Humanism Today. P 76-75.