Renaissance humanists played a crucial role in laying the intellectual groundwork for the Scientific Revolution. Among the options provided, option C best encapsulates this influence:
C. Humanists learned Greek and Latin and were eager to rediscover works of ancient scholars.
Here's why this option is most relevant:
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Rediscovery of Ancient Texts: Renaissance humanists emphasized the study of classical texts from ancient Greece and Rome. By learning Greek and Latin, they were able to access works of prominent scholars like Aristotle, Plato, and Galen, as well as the mathematical writings of Euclid and Ptolemy. This rediscovery encouraged a revival of scientific inquiry and inquiry-based approaches to knowledge.
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Shift in Focus: Humanists advocated for studying the natural world using empirical methods, leading to a gradual shift from purely theological explanations of nature to more observation-based approaches. They encouraged a critical examination of existing knowledge, fostering a spirit of questioning and exploration that was essential for scientific advancement.
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Interdisciplinary Connections: Many humanists engaged with various fields, including philosophy, literature, and history, which supported the integration of scientific ideas across disciplines and promoted a holistic understanding of human existence and the universe.
While options A, B, and D contain elements that are tangentially related or specific, they do not capture the core contribution of humanists to the intellectual environment that fueled the Scientific Revolution as thoroughly as option C does.
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