The Characteristics of Humanism

Answer

The Characteristics Classical of Humanism

Humanism is a philosophy of democratic and ethical lifestance which asserts that human beings have not only the right but also the responsibility to give meaning and form to their own lives while not disregarding the role of science, politics, sexuality and religion. In other words, humanism promotes the building of the humane society based on upholding of human ethics as well as natural values in a spirit of rationale and free inquiry through human potentials. This assignment briefly discusses three main characteristics of classical humanism as delved on by Clifford R. Backman in his book The Culture of the West: History, Volume 1.

There are many characteristic of classical humanism as postulated by Clifford and his associate authors. These characteristics may not be ideal as scientism would argue but within the confines of philosophy of humanism, they are relevant. Three of the characteristics are focused on as discussed below.

Anthropocentric Vision

According to Clifford, vision in humanism was imposed on the responsibilities of human beings different from the vision the same human being had in the past and that, that vision instigated the modern age. Anthropocentrism alludes to a philosophy which not only studies man in his society but also understands it as a factor of social change. In this sense, man is the chief driver of civilization and the builders of empires because every conceptualization and conception of ideas begins and ends with man. Consequently, everything which happens by design is constituted and executed according to the will of man. Notable the will of the man is formulated by an integration of ethics, religion, politics and sex.

Ginecolatry and Respect for Women

Classical humanism deviates from the mediaeval times of perceiving women as the chief source of misogyny. During the medieval era, women were viewed contemptuously and women were associated with direct sin and thus the cause of evil in the society. However, in the renaissance, under the emergence of philosophy of humanism, a new concept emerged. Since then, humanist artists presented a totally different view. Their paintings and literature for instance portrayed women as source of enjoyment of life. Some presented their creative work as an apology to love and beauty and innocence as would be given by the goddess Venus to the female body. The tune thus changed from scorn and pity to great respect for women which is still advocated for across the world in the present times.

Equanimity of Expression

With the emergence of classical humanism, the forms, textures and contours in parting art, poetic elegance and sculptures followed a pattern of fairly balance ethics. In other words, classical humanism brought a symmetrical balance in various forms of humanistic expression within the society. The sense of art evolved to be clear, beautiful and simples in the eyes of everyone. Unlike the medieval era where art was mostly based on faultfinding, humanism caused a paradigm shift so that the styles were natural with affection, respect, and within the ethical confines. Unlike the tension of the medieval art, the humanistic art was calm, mature and more stable.

Humanism is a balancing of the equation of coexistence of human within a society defined by science, politics, sexuality and religion. Although various ills seem to be perpetuated, the ultimate goal of humanism is to promote and sustain peaceful mutual agreement between people.