Final answer:
Renaissance humanists focused on the study of ancient Greek and Roman works to improve themselves and their societies, while medieval thinkers focused more on religious subjects. Renaissance humanists were interested in inquiry, exploration, and the idea of human perfection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Renaissance humanists differed from medieval thinkers in several ways. Firstly, Renaissance humanists believed in the value and dignity of human beings, and they emphasized the study of philosophy, history, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome to improve themselves and their societies. They were interested in inquiry, exploration, and the idea that humans could perfect themselves. In contrast, medieval thinkers focused more on religious subjects and emphasized individual achievements. They also looked to the classical works from Greece and Rome, but focused on a narrow, specialized area of study.