Why did Renaissance humanists criticize medieval logic?

Renaissance humanists criticized medieval logic—often referred to as scholastic logic—primarily because they viewed it as a "sterile," overly technical, and "arid" system that had become detached from practical reasoning and the study of classical antiquity.12

Their rejection was driven by several key factors:

• Preference for Rhetoric over Dialectic: Humanists prioritized rhetoric and the study of classical literature over the formal, abstract dialectic methods favored by medieval scholastics. They argued that language should be studied as a living medium for human thought rather than as a rigid, technical tool.34
• Critique of Scholastic Jargon: Figures like Lorenzo Valla attacked the "barbarous" Latin and technical terminology used by professional philosophers, such as "entity" and "quiddity," preferring the language of ordinary people.5
• Goal of Improving Reasoning: Humanists felt that medieval logic was not directed toward improving actual human reasoning. They sought to move beyond textbook syllogistic theory to develop more practical methods of discovery and communication.12
• Association with Aristotelianism: Because medieval logic was deeply intertwined with the works of Aristotle, many humanists—including those who admired other aspects of ancient thought—rejected his logical theory as being hopelessly bound to the "subtlety and arid ingenuity" of the Middle Ages.12