Comparing the Secular Humanist, Machiavelli and the Religious Humanist,

Comparing the Secular Humanist, Machiavelli and the Religious Humanist, ErasmusOne feces often identify a persons political, religious or cultural orientation course by his or her reaction to certain words. A case in point is the expression secular humanism. For religious conservatives those words sum up much of what is wrong waggishnessh contemporary society. Websters Ninth New Collegiate dictionary gives several commentarys for humanism, a word which made its appearance in 1832. The source is a devotion to the humanities or the revival of class, individualistic and detailed spirit, and emphasis on secular concerns characteristic of the Renaissance. Renaissance is capitalized. Another description 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 worth and capacity for self-realization through reason. Ousted from power and in exile f rom Florence, the city where he had served as a diplomat, Niccol Machiavelli wrote a illustrious how-to-do governing book called The Prince. That was nearly 500 years ago and and it holds a prophetic relevance for witness age. Machiavelli fits both parts of our definition of humanism. On one hand, he was versed in the classics and inspired by his study of the government of Republican Rome and his own experience thereof he fits into the Renaissance period. On the other hand, he could be called a secular humanist because he rejects the authority of religion he trusts his own reason and informs us that he will deal only with the uprightness of the matter as facts show it (34). Most people today would conform to with him that the state conducts 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. organized religion was unnecessa ry, only to be used as a kind of corporation screen for the real business at hand. Erasmus used scholarship and wit to attack ignorance and corruption. He did not give up on the brass instrument nor did he turn his back on his faith. Both blind religious faith and cynical 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 too well that Machiavelli has, in a sense, won. We assume that ethical motive and religious convictions do not play an important role in politics. We are only beginning to reap the fruits of that victory.