Is the Enlightenment the same as the Renaissance?

Home / People / History / Difference Between Renaissance Worldview and Enlightenment Worldview

Renaissance Worldview vs Enlightenment Worldview

Renaissance worldview and Enlightenment worldview are periods in the European History. Both made a major impact in the continent affecting certain aspects of science, mathematics, art, culture and philosophy. These periods are often discussed in school and, most of the time, determining how they differ is confusing.

Renaissance Worldview

Fourteenth to sixteenth centuries was the Renaissance Period in Europe, it followed the Middle Ages. The word Renaissance is the French word for “rebirth” and this was referred to as the Golden Age of both cultural, artistic and man’s intellectual thought. During this period, notable contributions in various areas such as music, architecture, drama and poetry were made. Names like Shakespeare and Mozart became famous during this era.

Enlightenment Worldview

If Renaissance mostly covered the artistic aspects, Enlightenment Worldview is associated with the advancement in Science, rationality, industrialization, calculus and astronomy. This era is also normally referred to as the Age of Reason. During these times, people believe that authority as well as legitimacy depended primarily on reason. The Enlightenment was basically developed through questioning the norm, questioning traditions, customs, morals, and believing solely on reason and science.

Difference between Renaissance Worldview and Enlightenment Worldview

Renaissance and Enlightenment worldviews can be seen as the same thing; they are both periods wherein man decided to make a change for the better. But here are some differences: Renaissance was mostly the artistic rebirth, it is when people like Leonardo da Vinci and Copernicus itched their name on history. On the other hand, Enlightenment’s main focus was on the intellectual side; reasons and science. One can say that Renaissance was the era wherein man “perfected” their artistic talents, while the Enlightenment period was when man based everything he does on science and rationality.

Today’s youth is pretty lucky to have lived this day, when we get to learn from the best. As they say, experience is the best teacher, we indeed are learning from our forefathers’ experience.

In brief:

• Renaissance is basically focused on art while Enlightenment focuses on the intellectual side; reasons and science.

• During the Renaissance period, notable contributions in various areas such as music, architecture, drama, and poetry were made; while on the Enlightenment period is associated with the advancement in Science, rationality, industrialization, calculus and astronomy.

In the world’s history, there have been various reforms, periods, and revolutions that have affected the respective country and also contributed to the culture and art they have today.

Table of Contents

  • Renaissance World View vs Enlightenment World View
  • Comparison Table Between Renaissance World View and Enlightenment World View
  • What is Renaissance World View?
  • What is Enlightenment World View?
  • Main Differences Between Renaissance World View and Enlightenment World View
  • Conclusion 
  • References

The main difference between both the Renaissance World View and Enlightenment World View is the contribution and their main focus. The renaissance period was mainly focused on arts and literature, which also contributed in the same whereas the Enlightenment period was mainly focused on science, contributing in the same and similar fields.

Is the Enlightenment the same as the Renaissance?

Renaissance World View founded in the Renaissance period that took place after the crisis of the late middle ages, which lead to major changes in art, architecture, literature, and poetry field.

Enlightenment World View or known as the Age of Reason, is the period followed by the Renaissance World View with the main focus on reason, progress, and scientific use.

Comparison Table Between Renaissance World View and Enlightenment World View

Parameters of Comparison Renaissance World View Enlightenment World View
Began In It began in the 14th century first in Italy and then in Europe. It began around the end of the 17th century and the 18th century in Europe.
Main Focus The main focus was arts, literature, and poetry. The main focus was intellectual reasoning and science
Contribution In Areas of architecture, drama, and music. In the field of science, rationality, and industrialization.
Significant Outcomes Protestant Reformation French and American Revolution
Notable Personalities Leonardo Da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli etc. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Adam Smith, Immanuel Kant etc.

What is Renaissance World View?

The period of the Renaissance is important as it made many contributions and even led to the Enlightenment Period in Europe. It has its roots in Italy and then spread to Europe.

The Renaissance worldview is said to be the Humanistic World view as this period value humanity, literacy, and education. Later on, these became the main factors for the discovery of the world.

The following factors led to the end of the Renaissance:

  1. Numerous wars taking place in the Italian Peninsula
  2. Spanish, German and French invaders causing Instability
  3. Changes in the economic trade routes
Is the Enlightenment the same as the Renaissance?

What is Enlightenment World View?

After the Renaissance, comes the Enlightenment worldview, which was mainly focused on and flourished the field such as science, mathematics, and technology the most.

Following changes and steps were taken during this period:

  1. Science was established as the main source of knowledge, logical reasoning and thinking were given priority.
  2. Human rights were defended, promoting liberty, progress, tolerance, fraternity.
  3. Terminated the superstitions and blind faith, books and scripts were written the most during this period.

There were three main concepts of the Enlightenment World View:

  1. Reason
  2. Scientific Method
  3. Progress

It is believed that both American and French revolutions were the outcomes of the Enlightenment Worldview.

Impact on Society: modern society is the result of the Enlightenment Period, scientific methods were established, and thinking towards church and religion took a turn and eventually changed.

Main Differences Between Renaissance World View and Enlightenment World View

  1. Personalities of the Renaissance Period include Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolò Machiavelli and the Enlightenment Period includes Adam Smith, Voltaire, and John Locke.
  2. Renaissance is more considered a Religious Revolution, whereas Enlightenment is considered an Intellectual Revolution.

Conclusion 

Enlightenment was followed and happened after the Renaissance Period. Although both of the periods were their importance and outcomes, major both of these periods are responsible for all the art and science development in Europe.

Both of these periods are considered important historical events as these led to major changes in the societies, which not only include art or science but also the way how people think and believe.

After these two periods, superstition and blind faith were not in practice. People started reasoning, enjoying poetry, art, drama, etc. they started giving more importance to the logical facts.

References

  1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1558/jate.v6i1.69
  2. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=bWjUf040CJ0C&oi=fnd&pg=PA21&dq=renaissance+worldview&ots=Xmng8pQh6O&sig=uLVzerDOFQP-X1OZTSlF2roW_iI
  3. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=yjCdDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR8&dq=enlightenment+period&ots=rO220xgDP3&sig=LnhRLT84pqHIO2YBc9ENFhlgivc

Search for "Ask Any Difference" on Google. Rate this post!

Is the Enlightenment the same as the Renaissance?

How is the Renaissance and Enlightenment similar?

They both heralded major changes in culture, art, philosophy, science, and mathematics. The Renaissance is associated with advances in literature, architecture, humanism, and a world economy, while the Enlightenment is associated with the scientific method, industrialization, rationality, astronomy, and calculus.

Did the Renaissance start the Enlightenment?

The Renaissance helped set the stage for the Enlightenment. Another key 'strand' of the Enlightenment was this reliance on science and logic that we keep talking about. The Scientific Revolution helped lead directly to the Enlightenment.

How did things change from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment?

The Renaissance period saw people move away from religion in favour of free thought and religious freedom. The Enlightenment era was closer to the Modern Age and took the free thought of the Renaissance a step further. Scientific thought and rational thinking took centre stage during this period.

What is the Enlightenment known also as?

The Enlightenment – the great 'Age of Reason' – is defined as the period of rigorous scientific, political and philosophical discourse that characterised European society during the 'long' 18th century: from the late 17th century to the ending of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815.