Introduction
Many modern people like to think that their current progress and achievements have nothing in common with their past. They believe that their growth at this period has an immense power that did not characterize previous centuries. However, contemporary society and the society of the early Renaissance may be compared regarding such elements as the set of values and beliefs, the role of technology, and even the spread of political power.
The Renaissance was the period that considerably influenced an understanding of human life and relationships people are free to develop. In this paper, the basics of both epochs, as well as similarities and differences of the Renaissance and contemporary societies, will be discussed. Contemporary society takes a lot from the Renaissance period in terms of personal values, religion, education, and medicine, and these lessons help to promote a better future for the whole nation.
Two Epochs’ Basics
In Europe, the period of the Renaissance covered social, art, political, and other changes between the 14th and the 17th centuries. Zarakol (2017) agrees that “European society became increasingly more complex and more interdependent” (p. 59). People of that time found it normal to break old ties and use their different backgrounds to create new groups and discover new options. The Renaissance society was defined as a part of the rebirth that meant not only the recovery of the past but a step to innovations and power (King, 2017). These basics can easily be traced in contemporary society.
The complexity according to which many people like to live today is impressive. Millions of people cannot imagine their lives without cell phones, personal computers, and other technologies that, as they believe, facilitate their routine affairs. The level of progress during the Renaissance and the contemporary world can never be compared because different frames and boundaries were established regarding the available resources. Still, passion, intentions, and desire are what unites the representatives of different societies. Today, a symbolic rebirth happens to everyone without them even understanding this fact.
Similarities
It seems that the question of social well-being has remained the same during different epochs. If a person has enough money to feed, study, and buy different things, he or she gains power. During the Renaissance, social classes existed and determined relationships between people (King, 2017). Some people could afford appropriate education, medicine, and healthcare, and some groups of people had to survive using all available options. Another important similarity includes the love of art and innovations.
The Renaissance society established high basics of art and innovation favoritism. People of that era liked to fashion themselves, believing that calculation, self-control, and foresight were important for their social success (Zarakol, 2017). Almost the same happens today. Society wants to control everything to be sure that a safe future is available to them. The Renaissance experience seems to be appropriate for a modern person, and that is what promotes multiple similarities between these epochs.
Differences
It is necessary to admit that the Renaissance and contemporary societies are far away from each other. Therefore, certain differences are evident. First, people observe academic and social progress. Compared to the Renaissance system of education, modern boys and girls can choose the same forms of education, as well as choose any occupation depending on their personal preferences. Modern medicine and healthcare introduce a variety of options to save human lives and improve the quality of health. Finally, religious freedoms should be admitted. The Renaissance people were dependent on the Catholic Church. Now, people are free from religious boundaries, which was unacceptable during the 14th-17th centuries.
Conclusion
To conclude, the effect of the Renaissance period cannot be ignored in contemporary society. People should learn and respect their history to use the progress and promote new improvements. The similarities and differences between the chosen epochs show how people can use their best past achievements and contribute them to the future. Instead of arguing which epoch is better, it is possible to learn how to survive with the greatest main benefit to human life.
References
King, M. L. (2017). A short history of the renaissance in Europe. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press.
Zarakol, A. (2017). States and ontological security: A historical rethinking. Cooperation and Conflict, 52(1), 48-68.