Humanism and Secularization

From Petrarch to Valla

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Medieval, Humanism
Cover of the book Humanism and Secularization by Riccardo Fubini, Duke University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Riccardo Fubini ISBN: 9780822384014
Publisher: Duke University Press Publication: January 22, 2003
Imprint: Duke University Press Books Language: English
Author: Riccardo Fubini
ISBN: 9780822384014
Publisher: Duke University Press
Publication: January 22, 2003
Imprint: Duke University Press Books
Language: English

The Renaissance movement known as humanism eventually spread from Italy through all of western Europe, transforming early modern culture in ways that are still being felt and debated. Central to these debates—and to this book—is the question of whether (and how) the humanist movement contributed to the secularization of Western cultural traditions at the end of the Middle Ages. A preeminent scholar of Italian humanism, Riccardo Fubini approaches this question in a new way—by redefining the problem of secularization more carefully to show how humanists can at once be secularizers and religious thinkers. The result is a provocative vision of the humanist movement.
Humanism and Secularization offers a nuanced account of humanists contesting medieval ideas about authority not in order to reject Christianity or even orthodoxy, but to claim for themselves the right to define what it meant to be a Christian. Fubini analyzes key texts by major humanists—isuch as Petrarch, Poggio, and Valla—from the first century of the movement. As he subtly works out these authors’ views on religion and the Church from both biographical and textual information, Fubini reveals in detail the new historical consciousness that animated the humanists in their reading of classical and patristic texts. His book as a whole shows convincingly just how radical the humanism of the first half of the fifteenth century was and how sharply it challenged well-entrenched ideas and institutions. Appearing here in English for the first time, his work provides a model set of readings of humanist texts and a critical perspective on Italian humanism that will alter and enrich discussion and understanding of the nature of the humanist movement.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The Renaissance movement known as humanism eventually spread from Italy through all of western Europe, transforming early modern culture in ways that are still being felt and debated. Central to these debates—and to this book—is the question of whether (and how) the humanist movement contributed to the secularization of Western cultural traditions at the end of the Middle Ages. A preeminent scholar of Italian humanism, Riccardo Fubini approaches this question in a new way—by redefining the problem of secularization more carefully to show how humanists can at once be secularizers and religious thinkers. The result is a provocative vision of the humanist movement.
Humanism and Secularization offers a nuanced account of humanists contesting medieval ideas about authority not in order to reject Christianity or even orthodoxy, but to claim for themselves the right to define what it meant to be a Christian. Fubini analyzes key texts by major humanists—isuch as Petrarch, Poggio, and Valla—from the first century of the movement. As he subtly works out these authors’ views on religion and the Church from both biographical and textual information, Fubini reveals in detail the new historical consciousness that animated the humanists in their reading of classical and patristic texts. His book as a whole shows convincingly just how radical the humanism of the first half of the fifteenth century was and how sharply it challenged well-entrenched ideas and institutions. Appearing here in English for the first time, his work provides a model set of readings of humanist texts and a critical perspective on Italian humanism that will alter and enrich discussion and understanding of the nature of the humanist movement.

More books from Duke University Press

Cover of the book Shades of White by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book Fantasizing the Feminine in Indonesia by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book Bringing the Empire Back Home by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book Prophets of the Hood by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book Tell Me Why My Children Died by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book Moral Economies of Corruption by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book Governing Indigenous Territories by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book Aloha America by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book Neglected Policies by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book Rwandan Women Rising by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book A Primer for Teaching Women, Gender, and Sexuality in World History by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book At Home in the World by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book Vanishing Women by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book Globalization and the Post-Creole Imagination by Riccardo Fubini
Cover of the book Dispatches from the Front by Riccardo Fubini
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy