Final answer:
As a student of humanism during the Renaissance circa 1430, one would engage in studies that emphasize human potential and classical learning, influencing society through art, civic engagement, and a blend of classical and Christian values.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Humanism in the Renaissance
To be a student of humanism during the Renaissance, around the year 1430, would involve studying various aspects of human society such as literature, philosophy, and the arts, underlining how human agency and intellectual achievements could enhance society. Humanism, originating in 14th-century Italy, emphasized a shift away from the medieval scholastic education that stressed vocational and scientific study, toward a more well-rounded education that included the "studia humanitatis" or the humanities.
The Impact of Humanism on the Renaissance
As a humanist in 1430, you would witness firsthand the reinvigoration of classical Greek and Roman ideals and their influence on contemporary politics, society, religion, and culture. Humanism rejected the utilitarian view of education and empowered individuals to engage directly in the civic life of their communities with eloquence and knowledge, thereby shaping the events around you. Francesco Petrarca, often considered the father of humanism, was paramount in promoting the potential for human achievement.
Humanists also sought to live the "good life" by emulating the values of ancient civilization, which they considered the pinnacle of human achievement. This era notably saw the flourishing of art, with figures like Donatello revolutionizing the field with works that exemplified humanist ideals. Notably, this movement was not in opposition to Christianity. Indeed, many humanists harmonized their study of classical antiquity with Christian teachings, aspiring to reform the church and improve individual piety as seen in the works of northern humanists like Desiderius Erasmus.