Petrarch is considered the “father of Humanism," an attitude associated with the flourishing of the Renaissance. In his work Secretum meum he points out that secular achievements mean you could not have a successful relationship with God. Petrarch argued that God had given humans their vast intellectual and creative potential to be used to their fullest. The intellectual flowering of the renaissance was inspired by his humanist philosophy. He believed in the study of human thought and the practical value of the study of ancient history and literature. Petrarch was a devout Catholic and did not see a conflict between realizing humanity's potential and having religious faith.
Petrarch shaped the humanist movement a great deal because many of the internal conflicts expressed in his writings. Renaissance humanist philosophers argued continually for the next 200 years. For example, Petrarch struggled with the proper relation between the active and contemplative life, and tended to emphasize the importance of solitude and study. Petrarch disagreed with Dante in 1346; Petrarch argued in his De vita solitaria that Pope Celestine V's refusal of the papacy in 1294 was as a virtuous example of solitary life.
Petrarch shaped the humanist movement a great deal because many of the internal conflicts expressed in his writings. Renaissance humanist philosophers argued continually for the next 200 years. For example, Petrarch struggled with the proper relation between the active and contemplative life, and tended to emphasize the importance of solitude and study. Petrarch disagreed with Dante in 1346; Petrarch argued in his De vita solitaria that Pope Celestine V's refusal of the papacy in 1294 was as a virtuous example of solitary life.