Humanism - Martines

Martines analysis on humanism discussed, among other things, the new out look on social and political interests. Humanism valued the ancient greek and roman ideals and reinforced them in their own contemporary settings. Education was no longer marginal, it was not restricted to idea's popularized by the church but valued secular idea's, ones that may have reinforced religious notions but always promoted individual worth. "'(T)he careful study of the past enlarges our foresight in contemporary affairs and affords to citizens and to monarchs lessons of incitement or warning in the ordering of public policy. From history also we draw our store of examples of moral precepts'" (Martines,195/Burni) Understanding ones own history was vital for scholars like Burni. It is inefficient to continue repeating the same social/political mistakes, to ensure progression for ones self and for ones society, one must appreciate and understand what practices functioned efficiently (functions that resulted in production of art/architecture, advances in science, career/educational opportunities, ect)  compared to practices that were detrimental to society (functions that resulted in oppression, further separating social classes, war, prejudice, ect). Restricting ones own knowledge to carefully selected passages from the new and old testament was inefficient. The only way to progress ones self and society was understanding all aspects of history, beyond the restrictions of religion.