Before I am able to write about philosophers and their works and legacies I decided that I needed to understand the history of Europe as to provide context for my later work. To this end I have completed a short history of Europe and relative philosophy from the Greeks and Stoicism to Florence and the Renaissance.
Betrand Russell states the philosophy (as distinct from theology) began in Greece in the sixth century B.C.
In Greece social cohesion was achieved through loyalty to the City State and yet the Greeks still retained most of their individual liberties.
The Greeks would succumb to the Macedonians and then to the might of Rome which would not only take from Stoicism but from Greek culture as well.
Stoicism was the philosophy of the Greeks and was largely replaced by Christianity which was spread less by word than it was by force as invading armies instilled Christian doctrine on conquered peoples.
There are many parallels can be drawn between Stoicism and Christianty as well as several key differences such as the fact; ‘Christianity sees us as in need of God’s grace, as needing God’s help to liberate the good will which is potentially ours; where Stoicism appeals purely to our powers of reason and self control.’[1]
However it is the similarities that are the most interesting and repercussive, for example Stoics wanted to be free of such negative emotions as envy, anger and Jealousy which can be seen mirrored in various bible verses, for example; James 3:16 (ESV): ‘For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.’ Furthermore as in Stoicism, Christianity views God as ultimate authority i.e. that one should obey God over man. The sharing of terminology and some basic tennents made it suitable (with alterations) for incorporation into Christian doctrine.
It was the latter concept, of God’s ultimate authority which would prove extremely important in the development of Europe. In the East the idea of allegiance to God over Emperor was lax, notably in the Russian Empire and it’s predecessor as well as Christian Emperors who remained loyal to Arainism. This was a faction of Christianity that taught Jesus was not the son of God but merely a creation of God and thus was inferior to God. This view was of course deemed heretical by other factions and Arainism would eventually die out.
However in the West where Catholic Emperors were almost all quickly replaced by heretical barbarian conquerors, religious allegiance would prove more superior and long lasting than that of political allegiances in a world where politics was always changing.
During the Dark Ages where barbarian invasion put an end to the continued civilisation of Western Europe there was ever rising conflict between church and State due to the conflict of political and religious allegiances i.e. Man or God.
The Pope had a long reaching arm and whilst his influence at first was unnoteworthy, by the late eleventh century became effective in creating a single organisation spearheaded by Rome’s religious and thus political authority in wars against secular rulers which echoed the unity and effectiveness of the Roman Empire. However unlike the Roman Empire the church commanded a spiritual fear which could be found in subjects and rulers alike who believed that the Church had the power and authority of God to send it’s adversaries to Heaven or Hell. The Church also took advantage of the anarchy of the time, the secular Kings were not only at war with the Church but with one another and so the Church perpetuated a goal or ideal of order amongst the anarchic chaos of Europe. And so the Church gained dominance through unity, intelligent relentlessness in the pursuit of its goals and the ability to command fear and the religious zeal of its followers. It maintained this dominance in philosophy through its stranglehold on education as education was through the clergy and this severely limited the ability for new ideas to take hold and propagate.
The preface to the Italian Renaissance is complex, mainly concerned with the States of Milan, Venice, Florence, Naples and the Papal Domain which found themselves constantly under political change or war.
Florence was the main source of the Renaissance helped in no small way by the prospering of the city under The Medici family who used their knowledge of trade and industry which had secured them wealth and subsequent political power to see Florence prosper. This would provide the needed stable economic backdrop for the Renaissance in all its forms to flourish.
Florence was the main source of the Renaissance helped in no small way by the prospering of the city under The Medici family who used their knowledge of trade and industry which had secured them wealth and subsequent political power to see Florence prosper. This would provide the needed stable economic backdrop for the Renaissance in all its forms to flourish.
The Renaissance in contrast to the Church prided itself in exploring works new and old without comment from political authority and the idea that the acquisition of knowledge was a social journey rather than a finite learning experience with no room for intellectual commentary or expansion. It provided the opportunity for learning and greater understanding in a world which dogma saw the continued exploration of philosophy unnecessary in a world which already had the infallible word of God.
[1] Taylor, C.T., 2007, A Secular Age, pg.115
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