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studia humanitatis

philosophy of education

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The term studia humanitatis, from which humanism originates, refers to the "studies of humanity." This educational movement, which emerged in the late Middle Ages, emphasized human potential, worldly affairs, and well-being, shifting focus away from the primacy of theology and an otherworldly perspective.1

Studia humanitatis encompassed secular literary and scholarly pursuits such as grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, and moral philosophy, drawing inspiration from Classical Greek and Latin traditions. Early humanists, like Pietro Paolo Vergerio, advocated for a balanced education of both body and spirit, including the liberal arts, sciences, and practical subjects. This approach valued direct experience and objective analysis over traditional assumptions, laying groundwork for modern social sciences. The goal was not to create an ideal of purity but to foster a mature balance and understanding of human nature and society.234

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