humanism, humanist societies: "the academies", Danubian Scientific Association
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This expression originally referred to those teachers, who taught studia humanitatis (humanities, studies referring to humankind) at medieval schools, including grammatics, rhetoric and text analysis. Studia humanitatis or humaniora includes grammatics, rhetoric, potetry (and literature), history, moral philosophy, and the humanist was the teacher and master of these subjects, or the one who did scientific work in these territories. The central idea of humanism was the dignity of man in the universe, the nobility of man in his good or bad luck, the greatness of man's existence and tragedy. Humanist put a great emphasis on man's self-confidence, which was based on the belief that man can preserve his human dignity among any changes or circumstances. From among man's inner qualities they respected virtue and knowledge, from among his outer qualities they adored earthly glory and fame. They thought the inner qualities could be achieved through education and teaching, while outer qualities could be achieved by creative work and great deeds done for the community. They preferred an active life (vita activa) to a passive one, which focused on God and transcendent values. They highly appreciated spiritual works and arts, and culture in all areas of life.
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humanist societies: "the academies"
In the Middle Ages the centres of studies were monasteries and universities, that is church institutions. The ideal secular educational model praised by the humanists demanded a new method and new organisational forms of intellectual work. New opportunities and forms of social life were appearing outside universities and monasteries. In the name of the renaissance lifestyle, which praised the beauty and perfection of life, humanists preferred linking the education of the soul with refreshing the body - following ancient models. Scientific debates often took place during dinner, that is convivium or symposion, where people talked about literature and philosophy and also listened to music and played games. Serious debates were followed by cheerful entertainment. Social and educational conditions were ideal in Florence, where such groups and societies were already active at the end of the 14th century. They called themselves 'academies', renewing the name of the society which was founded by Plato in 385 BC in the honour of Apollo and the muses, that is to support sciences and arts.
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Danubian Scientific Association
It was founded in Vienna in 1497 and functioned until 1511. Its scientific importance is not very big, their main aim was to evaluate the members' works and prepare them for publishing.
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