Theological views of humanists: from the history of religious thought

the article examines the theological views of humanists using the example of F. Petrarch and G. Manetti. Humanistic concepts were created at different times in many countries of the world. However, the concept of humanism in certain historical situations was filled with specific content arising from existing socio-cultural conditions. Therefore, humanism as a spiritual formation is a historically conditioned system of ideas. The central idea of the humanistic worldview of the Renaissance is the recognition of the value of man, his rights, interests, and creative abilities. Considering man in his earthly destiny, thinkers proceeded from the fact that happiness is the goal of human existence. At the same time, they did not reject either the creation of man by God or the immortality of the soul. It seems that the humanistic thought of the characterized era can be divided into the humanism of principles and the humanism of ideals. Humanists resorted to the dogmas of Christianity not to strengthen them, but to substantiate their ideas. The works of Gianozzo Manetti and Francesco Petrarch symbolize the transition from theocentrism to anthropocentrism, which changes the emphasis of ethics and the nature of human existence. Man, as a subject of social relations, for whom knowledge and actions become the most important aspects of life, is deprived of traditional Christian motives.

humanism, history, renaissance, Petrarch, Manetti, Renaissance