Final answer:
During the Renaissance, the dominant education was Humanist education, focusing on classical Greek and Roman texts and human-centered intellectualism. The goal was to focus on human potential and achievements, while Northern Renaissance humanism intertwined this with the goal of improving the human soul through Christian teachings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Education during the Renaissance
The type of education that was dominant during the Renaissance was Humanist education. This approach emphasized the study of classical Greek and Roman texts and the importance of humans, rather than divine beings, as the center of intellectual pursuits. The Humanist program became widely accepted in Italy by the mid-15th century, heavily influencing the upper classes and even church officials like Cardinal Basilios Bessarion. Humanism prevailed despite the dominance of the Church, which was the principal institution supporting scholarship following the fall of the Roman Empire.
The curriculum of Renaissance education moved away from the medieval focus on Latin, natural science, and mathematics and towards subjects that stressed human achievement and potential. The rediscovery of classical philosophy, like that of Protagoras who said "Man is the measure of all things", led to humanism's manifestation in various domains such as art, architecture, politics, science, and literature. With the advent of paper and metal movable type, these ideas spread rapidly later in the 15th century, nurturing the Renaissance across Europe, although not uniformly.
Moreover, northern European scholars of the Renaissance humanism argued for an education that would make individuals better Christians. Figures such as Desiderius Erasmus promoted the study of classical works alongside Christian teachings to reform the soul and, consequently, the church. This movement also affected Renaissance art, as local customs modified these new styles, creating distinct traditions in different European regions.