As the world moved from the Medieval era to the Renaissance, several major changes in thought among scholars occurred. Some of the most important were:
- Development of the scientific method. The scientific method was one of the developments that allowed for the Age of Discovery to take place. The method placed enormous importance on evidence, objectivity and experimentation. Although most commonly associated with the physical sciences, it had an impact on every aspect of knowledge.
- Importance of agency. While Medieval thinkers used to attribute most human events to supernatural forces, Renaissance humanists began defending the "agency" of humans (the power to make our own choices and create our own destiny).
- Reason. Reason became the most prominent characteristics of humans. Reason also took the place of other sources of knowledge, such as dogma or superstition.
- Classics. Interest in Classical culture (Greek and Roman) was one of the major interests shared by Renaissance humanists, and this set them apart from Medieval thinkers.
