Renaissance Philosophy - Russell

(Originally written July 29, 2006 in Book 7)

The History of Western Philosophy
Bertrand Russell
Book Three (Modern Philosophy)

Pt. 1 From the Renaissance to Hume

Ch. 1 - General Characteristics

'Modern' times differs from the Medieval period in many ways. These are the two most important:

1) The diminishing power of the Church
2) The increasing authority of science

These two led to others:
-Culture becoming less clerical dominated
-State government replacing Church power

Ecclesiastical judgments are pronounced as absolute and unalterable. Scientific judgments are liable to change with new discovery. This produces a different mind set for modern thinkers.

The fall of the Church power led to individualism to the point of anarchy.

The Italian Renaissance was an embracement of anarchy.

The Reformation and counter-reformation put an end to the good and bad components of the Italian Renaissance.

Modern philosophy is individualistic and subjective.

The extreme subjectivism of this period is a form of madness.

Scientific technique is a cure for individualism and subjectivism.

"Unlike religion, it is ethically neutral: it assures men that they can perform wonders, but does not tell them what wonders to perform" (Russell, 494).

Linehan - Thus, as soon as the objective scientific technique is used it becomes subjective to the users desire? Hmmm.

Chapter II - The Italian Renaissance

The Renaissance began in Italy and marked the beginning of the modern mind.

There were five powerful Italian states:

1) Milan
2) Venice
3) Florence
4) the Papal Domain
5) Naples

Florence was the most civilized city in the world and the birth place of the Renaissance.