Comparing the Secular Humanist, Machiavelli and the Religious Humanist,

Comparing the Secular Humanist, Machiavelli and the Religious Humanist, ErasmusOne can often hear a persons political, religious or cultural orientation by his or her reaction to certain words. A case in point is the verbiage secular humanism. For religious conservatives those words sum up much of what is ruin with contemporary company. Websters Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary gives several definitions for humanism, a word which made its appearance in 1832. The first is a subjection to the humanities or the revival of class, individualistic and critical spirit, and emphasis on secular concerns characteristic of the spiritual rebirth. Renaissance is capitalized. Another definition reads as follows a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values, especially a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individuals dignity and price and capametropolis for self- originalization through reason. Ousted from power and in exile from Floren ce, the city where he had served as a diplomat, Niccol Machiavelli wrote a famous how-to-do politics volume called The Prince. That was nearly 500 years ago and yet it holds a clairvoyant relevance for own age. Machiavelli fits both parts of our definition of humanism. On mavin hand, he was versed in the classics and inspired by his study of the regimen of Republican Rome and his own experience thus he fits into the Renaissance period. On the other hand, he could be called a secular do-gooder because he rejects the authority of religion he trusts his own reason and informs us that he will deal solo with the truth of the matter as facts show it (34). Most people today would agree with him that the state of necessity to restrict the power of the church. ... ...nt that held the political power. Machiavelli saw the need for liberation--liberation from religious ideology what counted in politics was getting the job done. Religion was unnecessary, only to be used as a kind of smoke screen for the real business at hand. Erasmus used scholarship and wit to attack ignorance and corruption. He did not give up on the establishment nor did he device his back on his faith. Both blind religious faith and misanthropic secularism threaten us today. Because I live in a society that claims to be religious, but operates according to secular principles I suppose that I fear the latter more. The current disillusionment with politics shows all also well that Machiavelli has, in a sense, won. We assume that morality and religious convictions do not play an important role in politics. We are only beginning to reap the fruits of that victory.