David Fideler

How Philosophy Changed the World - Living Ideas Journal Ancient philosophy had little impact on society in Greece or Rome, but it helped to inspire the birth of the Renaissance, sparking a profound cultural transformation.

Stoic philosophy had little impact on society in ancient Greece or Rome, but it helped inspire the birth of the Renaissance, sparking a profound cultural transformation.

Could the best classical and Renaissance ideas help to re-inspire our world today?

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A fresco of Flora in Villa di Arianna, Stabiae, near Pompeii

🏺 The "dancing" look of Flora's floating garments is similar to Botticelli's Three Graces in his Primavera which was strongly inspired by classical texts rediscovered during the #Renaissance.

🎬 Watch here: ideasroadshow.com/primavera/

🏛️ Villa di Arianna, near Pompeii

🗃️ #arthistory #frescofriday

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How Renaissance and Secular Humanism Are Worlds Apart Renaissance thought gave us depth, the humanities, and science together. But secular humanism narrowed our vision, reducing human nature to reason alone.

The Renaissance joined depth, beauty, and science. But secular humanism reduced life to reason alone.

Then Auguste Comte went further, creating a “Religion of Humanity” — complete with secular saints like Aristotle and Gutenberg, a priesthood of moral guides, and even sacraments.

02.10.2025 14:38 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

Marsilio Ficino

Died on this date (October 1, 1499 — 65 years): Marsilio Ficino, Renaissance philosopher and translator.

He was the first to translate the complete works of Plato into Latin and carried on the Platonic tradition in Florence, Italy.

01.10.2025 13:57 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

The Man Who Invented Renaissance Architecture - Living Ideas Journal Brunelleschi didn’t just design the dome of Florence’s cathedral. By reviving “the ancient Roman style,” he invented Renaissance architecture itself.

The Renaissance began as an “inner” project of humanist ideas. But Brunelleschi gave it an “outer” form.

His architecture turned humanist values into stone, light, and harmony.

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That raises a startling question: How did the life of the mind leave major universities in the first place?

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I study ancient philosophy and Renaissance humanism.

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The Renaissance Program in Florence, Italy Five unforgettable days in Florence: Explore the timeless ideas that shaped the Renaissance.

Learn about the profound ideas that shaped the Italian Renaissance — and what they might offer us today. March 23–28, 2026.

Florence becomes an open-air classroom, where art, architecture, and civic life bring timeless Renaissance ideas to life.

Read more . . .

17.09.2025 12:15 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

The Lost Virtue of Humanitas: The Art of Becoming Deeply Human - Living Ideas Journal The ancient idea of humanitas provides a strong antidote to dehumanizing forces in the modern world.

What does is mean to be deeply human? Cicero’s idea of humanitas is a powerful antidote to dehumanizing forces in the modern world.

It helped inspire Renaissance humanism and the creation of the original “humanities.”

17.09.2025 11:59 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

How the Renaissance Rediscovered “the Human” The Renaissance didn’t just revive art and learning. It rediscovered “the human” — and with it, the dignity, depth, and potential of human beings.

How the Renaissance rediscovered “the human” and the dignity of human beings.

17.09.2025 11:56 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0