Humanism: A movement during the Renaissance that focused on studying classical texts and valuing human beings and individuality. It highlighted reason, creativity, and education, contrasting with the medieval focus on religious teachings.
Renaissance: A revival of art, culture, and learning from the 14th to the 17th centuries, driven by a renewed interest in the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome.
Reformation: A 16th-century religious movement that aimed to correct issues within the Catholic Church, such as corruption and the sale of indulgences, resulting in the creation of Protestant churches.
Protestant: A branch of Christianity that arose from the Reformation, rejecting the Pope's authority and focusing on personal Bible interpretation and faith for salvation.
Sacraments: Important religious ceremonies in Christianity that are seen as means of receiving divine grace, including baptism and communion.
Secularism: The idea of keeping religion separate from political and social life, promoting a more rational approach to governance and society.
Vernacular: The common language spoken by people in a region, which became more significant during the Renaissance as writers began to use their native languages instead of Latin.
Scientific Method: A structured approach to exploring and understanding the world, involving observation, experimentation, and hypothesis formulation.
Heliocentric Theory: The idea proposed by Copernicus that the Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun, changing how people understood the universe from an Earth-centered model.
Enlightenment: An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason and individualism, questioning traditional authority and influencing various fields.
Social Contract: A theory that suggests people agree to form a society and establish rules and responsibilities to maintain order.
Natural Rights: Basic rights and freedoms that belong to all humans, often including life, liberty, and property, influential in Enlightenment philosophy.
Heresy: Beliefs that go against established religious doctrines, often leading to persecution by the church.
Annulment: A legal decision declaring a marriage invalid from the beginning, often due to lack of consent or other issues.
Excommunicate: The formal exclusion of someone from participating in church activities and sacraments, typically as a punishment for serious offenses.
Recant: To withdraw or take back a statement or belief, often done under pressure or to address accusations of heresy.
Indulgence: A permit from the Catholic Church that absolved people from the punishment of sins, often sold, which became a major issue during the Reformation.
Moveable Type: A printing technology developed in the 15th century that allowed for the mass production of books, spreading ideas and increasing literacy.
Universal Law of Gravity: Defined by Isaac Newton, it describes the force of gravity between two masses and is a key principle in physics.
Natural Law: Ethical principles based on human nature that guide moral behavior, often used in political discussions about rights and justice.
Philosophe: Enlightenment thinkers who promoted critical thinking and reform in society, especially in philosophy and politics.
Interesting Word: Heliocentric Theory: The heliocentric theory fascinates me because it changed how we see our place in the universe. Moving away from believing the Earth is the center not only transformed astronomy but also challenged traditional religious beliefs, showing the impact of scientific exploration and the bravery of thinkers like Copernicus.