The life of Desiderius Erasmus and the educational reform 16th Century

Essay by jiniUniversity, Bachelor'sA, November 2002

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION TO RENAISSANCE PERIOD1

DESIDERIUS ERASMUS2

Early life and education2

Carrier and chief centres of his activity3

Major works5

EDUCATIONAL REFORM7

The Muslim influence7

The secular influence7

Humanism8

Education in Reformation and Counter-Reformation10

Introduction to Renaissance Period

This assignment is involved with events of high significance during renaissance such as, the educational reform and the contribution of Erasmus to European civilisation.

Renaissance is called the period that followed immediately after the Middle Ages, its etymology comes from the French word naissance (birth) combined with the prefix re- (repetition), thus it means rebirth; it has been characterized by an interest in classical writings and virtues. During the Renaissance period many events of high importance were held, such as the exploration of new continents; the supplanting of the Copernican system of astronomy for the Ptolemaic; the fall of the feudal system and ecclesiastical hierarchy; the expansion of commerce and the application of powerful innovations such as, the papermaking process, printing and gunpowder.

For the leaders of the European intellectual thought, firstly, it was a period of revision and consolidation of classical works and erudition after a long period of cultural inactivity and stagnation.

(www.brittanica.com/bcom/ed/article/4/0,5716,109244,00.html, 23/02/2001)

After the decline of Constantinople in 1453 by the Ottomans, many scholars emigrated to Europe bringing with them important books and manuscripts and the tradition of Greek scholarship. Therefore, through this event Humanism, an intellectual movement expressing the spirit of the Renaissance, achieved fruition and it was provided with a major boost. It was a movement initiated by the secular intellectual society of that period. First and foremost, its dominant doctrine was the study of human nature. Secondly, it maintained the compatibility of the truth expressed in theological and philosophical systems, a doctrine also known as syncretism. Thirdly, it gave emphasis on the dignity...