Difference between Renaissance and Enlightenment

A new era of reshaping human civilization as we know, began during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods in history. Though they had quite distinct effects, the Renaissance and the Enlightenment both introduced novel concepts to academic circles.

A resurgence of curiosity for the antiquated societies of Greece and the Roman Empire typified the Renaissance. After the Renaissance, there was a significant flow of ideas aimed at improving the condition of mankind during the Enlightenment.

The distinctions between the Renaissance and the Enlightenment will be discussed in more detail in this article.

What is Renaissance?

The French word for "rebirth", or Renaissance, refers to a time in European history between the 14th and the 17th centuries when there was a significant intellectual and cultural awakening. It signaled a change in perspective from the medieval one to one that was more human-centered.

Put differently, the Renaissance was marked by a resurgence of curiosity about the art, literature, and philosophy of the ancient Greek and Roman cultures, which resulted in their rediscovery and reinterpretation.

One of the Renaissance's main characteristics was its emphasis on humanism. Humanists initially believed that humans have the capacity to achieve excellence through knowledge, reason, and inquiry.

Renaissance supporters pushed for the revival of the individuality, critical thinking, and pursuit of knowledge that characterized ancient Greece and Rome.

What is Enlightenment?

Conversely, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Enlightenment-also referred to as the Age of Reason-arose in reaction to the intellectual and social transformations wrought by the Renaissance.

Simply put, the Enlightenment movement promoted progress, reason, and science as ways to enhance society and increase human knowledge.

During the Enlightenment, proponents of freedom of thought, speech, & expression, philosophers, and intellectuals questioned established knowledge and religious dogmas.

Their belief was that humans might discover the principles regulating the natural and social worlds and advance civilization by using reason and scientific means.

The Distinction between the Enlightenment and the Renaissance

The Enlightenment and the Renaissance differed mainly in the following ways:

Definition and Time Period

The Renaissance occurred mostly in Italy between the 14th and the 17th centuries, although it also extended to other regions of Europe. Classical Greco-Roman culture was resurrected, and the medieval worldview was abandoned. It was a period of rekindled interest in the arts, education, and humanism.

Oppositely, the Enlightenment took place in Western Europe, especially in France, England, and Germany, mostly in the 17th and 18th centuries. This movement focused on reason, science, and rationality as ways to better understand and make the world a better place. It was intellectual and cultural in nature.

Focus

The resurgence of literature, art, and education was the main goal of the Renaissance. A turn towards humanism, which emphasized the importance of individualism, secularism, and human reason, coincided with a resurgence of interest in classical literature, art, and architecture at this time. Renaissance researchers and artists made great strides in literature, art, and science as a result of their efforts to resurrect the knowledge and accomplishments of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations.

But the Enlightenment was more concerned with philosophy, science, and reason. The power of human reason and rationality as a way of comprehending and improving the world was emphasized by Enlightenment thinkers, sometimes referred to as philosophers or intellectuals. They promoted the application of logic, facts, and the scientific method to a wide range of subjects, including science, politics, philosophy, and social concerns. Ideas like individual rights, democracy, and the separation of powers were fundamental to contemporary political theory as a result of the Enlightenment's significant influence.

Opinion on Religion

The Renaissance was characterized by a nuanced attitude towards religion. Even though it witnessed a move away from religion and towards secularism and humanism with a stronger focus on individualism and human reason, it did not completely abandon religion. In addition to drawing inspiration for their works from Christian themes and ideas, many Renaissance scholars and painters remained devout Christians. Nonetheless, the conventional religious authority was also called into question by a growing interest in human-centered viewpoints and the study of the natural world.

Conversely, a more skeptical and critical attitude towards religion defined the Enlightenment. Though many of them were skeptical of organized religion and its impact on politics and society, Enlightenment intellectuals promoted reason and science as the fundamental way of comprehending the universe. Enlightenment thought challenged the authority and doctrine of established faiths by promoting ideals such as religious tolerance, individual freedom of conscience, and the separation of church and state.

Social Influence

Although in various ways, the Renaissance and the Enlightenment had a tremendous influence on European civilization. Because it ushered in a cultural and intellectual movement towards individualism, secularism, and humanism, the Renaissance is sometimes seen as a turning point in Western history. As well as helping to shape contemporary Western culture and civilization, it resulted in extraordinary breakthroughs in science, literature, art, and architecture.

The notion of the contemporary nation-state and modern political theory, however, were more significantly shaped by the Enlightenment. Individual rights, democracy, and the rule of law were championed by Enlightenment intellectuals like Voltaire, John Locke, and Montesquieu. These concepts had an impact on the formation of contemporary democracies. With its emphasis on reason, evidence, and the scientific method, the Enlightenment also prepared the way for the scientific revolution, which produced amazing advances in philosophy, science, and technology.

Difference Table

Renaissance	Enlightenment
There are theories that the Renaissance started in the late 1300s and continued until the early 17th century.	Between the 17th and 18th centuries was the Age of Enlightenment.
Notable advancements were accomplished in the fields of literature, science, astronomy, art, and architecture.	The main areas of interest were science, math, and technology.
The focus of the era was on traditional religion and knowledge. There was a notable surge in the desire for freedom of religion and thought.	During this time, the focus was to emphasize the application of rational ideas.
Starting with the 14th-century revival of learning based on ancient sources, the Renaissance was a cultural period that saw the inventive blossoming of Latin and vernacular literature.	A wide range of concepts, including liberty, progress, tolerance, and brotherhood, were advocated by the Enlightenment, which was focused on the premise that reason should have the final say and that the senses provide the majority of information.
The development of new technologies, such as Gutenberg's printing press, aided in the dissemination of Renaissance concepts.	Throughout the age, scientists and philosophers disseminated their views extensively through printed books, journals, pamphlets, and gatherings at scientific academies, literary salons, and coffee shops.
One of the most important results of the Renaissance was the Protestant Reformation, which altered the prevailing understanding of religion at the time.	Continental Europe was introduced to enlightenment through the French Revolution of 1789, which was based on the principles of liberty, quality, and fraternity.
Among the famous individuals from the Renaissance are: Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, Nicolaus Copernicus, Niccolò Machiavelli, and Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni	The following individuals represent the Enlightenment era: John Locke, Voltaire, Adam Smith, Immanuel Kant, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Conclusion

Without a doubt, modern concepts, beliefs, and ethos have their roots in the ideas and values of the Renaissance. The process of intellectual awakening actually started as a renaissance, and it produced enlightenment. The energy created by the French and American revolutions later proved to have profoundly changed human existence in ways never seen before.

Next TopicDifference between 3G and 4G Technology

← prev next →