When one speaks of the renaissance we picture the art, music, and architecture that are so familiar to us. From the Mona Lisa, Creation of Adam, and other famous pieces of art to the soaring buttresses that support the great cathedrals of Europe. We're well aware of Leonardo's fantastic machines and Machiavelli's Machiavellian views. But we often overlook the strides made in the field that has come to dominate our society today.
Technology.
Not just mechanical, but logical, educational, and theoretical breakthroughs would serve as springboards for giants like Newton, Descartes, and Cotes.
The arrival of the Hindu-Arabic numbering system in the High Middle Ages, coupled with the invention of the printing press and relative freedom to reexamine the familiar would set the stage for breakthroughs in mathematics, astronomy, chemistry and anatomy- as well as the first western attempts at formal computation.
The works of men like Galileo, Copernicus, and Da Vinci would help establish what we know of as the scientific method. The resurgence of humanism and realism in art lead to learning from observation, precluding the great advances of the following centuries.
When I am asked why I choose to study theoretical computer science, rather than something that can be applied to 'actually do something' I think of these men. Most of the luxuries of life that we enjoy today can be traced to theoretical methods developed during the renaissance. Imagine if Copernicus had not published his work because it wasn't practical. I study theoretical sciences because somewhere, someday, someone will be grateful that we figured out what seems like a useless piece of knowledge. Just like we are for the Cartesian Coordinate System, or the Heliocentric Model, or countless other scientific and technological advances that resulted from the Renaissance.
I think you bring up a very good point in saying that the renaissance really created the foundations for the enlightenment and further scientific/political/etc. thought. Although its possible that, with so little knowledge in those given fields, their discoveries or theories were more of a break through than a "useless piece of knowledge",although I do agree that those individual where very courageous (especially Copernicus, who was persecuted for his findings) to pursue their given fields.
ReplyDeleteThis is excellent, and I love the personal element. It is interesting that we often segregate the artistic and the scientific or mathematic, when in reality all require creativity, ingenuity, and mastery.
ReplyDeleteI agree that all areas need creativity and ingenuity. It seems like the breakthrough in art and literature embodies how the world sees the Renaissance today but that has an important influence in how technology was advanced as well. I believe that the advances in art and science are interconnected and both were developed together.
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