Final answer:
The humanism movement, born in fourteenth-century Italy and later spreading across Europe, glorified the intellectual and moral abilities of man by promoting the study of humanities and emphasizing human potential for achievement, ultimately influencing civic life and future intellectual movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The humanism movement glorified the intellectual and moral abilities of man. Originating during the fourteenth century in Italy, humanists like Francesco Petrarca, also known as Petrarch, believed in the innate beauty and dignity of humanity. They emphasized that through the study of the humanities, which include grammar, rhetoric, history, poetry, and moral philosophy - collectively known as the 'studia humanitatis' - individuals could reach their full potential, contribute eloquently to civil society, and live a 'good life.'
Both Italian humanism and its variant, northern European or Christian humanism, shared the belief that humans could improve themselves by studying the wisdom of classical antiquity and early Christian teachings, with the latter emphasizing the improvement of the human soul and becoming better Christians. This was a shift from the medieval focus on the sinful nature of humans and the sole preparation for religious vocations. Humanists argued for a well-rounded education that could enhance one's ability to participate actively in civic life, highlighting virtues such as Truth, Beauty, Goodness, and Justice.
Renaissance Humanism played a critical role in reshaping education and interpretation of the human condition. It laid the groundwork for subsequent intellectual movements, including the Enlightenment, which continued the legacy of critical thinking and the pursuit of reason.