Humanism, Yesterday and Today
Francis Neilson
DURING THE LAST QUARTER of nineteenth century when British and American rationalists were expounding their doctrines in political philosophical arenas, there arose many questions as to what they meant used term it applied everyday affairs, significance had same people linked up with notions Italian Renaissance. There has recently been so much debate these terms stand for that young student is somewhat confused he finds humanism, is, craze classical books, which at beginning fourteenth century, a totally different meaning from given today. Perhaps fact that, since days Auguste Comte, humanism entered into sociological studies explains one reasons this misunderstanding. no similarity all between today period Petrarch Boccaccio began collect books. It said poet first humanist. Dr. Tilley, who wrote remarkable essay Cambridge Medieval History on The Early Renaissance, tells us was find ancient literature larger measure than elsewhere learning training virtue are peculiar men (v. VII, p. 754). Why should be named humanist because discovery hard tell, nearly thousand years before his time Ptolemies, Soter Philadelphus, formed two libraries museum Alexandria. Later, sixth Cassiodorus Squillace brought together great collection works considered by scholars largest day. other collectors books and, doubt, centers Ireland must have high worth within reach such an intellectual giant Erigena. So perhaps something more study qualify honor being Tilley us: He found pages Virgil Horace, Cicero Seneca, especially those Cicero, concentration human aims aspirations guide endeavour However, came upon scene, Albertino Mussato Padua who, points out, called the initia-
The American Journal of Economics and Sociology