ABSTRACT
Renaissance philosophy starts in the middle Ages. This is not a claim of continuity, as though Renaissance philosophy would just build upon mainstream medievalism; rather, the rupture and break through for good or ill achieved by Renaissance thinkers was prepared during the middle Ages. Raimundus Sabundus introduces human dignity, a favorite concept of Renaissance humanism, as the touchstone that differentiates and unites humanity with lower beings and with God. Raymond Lull will be presented as the champion of the change that introduced the basics of modern thought unbeknownst to him and perhaps to his followers. Michel de Montaigne's defense is directed at two objections, which he quotes. First: that Christians do themselves wrong by wishing to support their belief with human reasons: belief is grasped only by faith and by private inspiration from God's grace. The second critique was: some say that his arguments are weak and unsuited to what he wants to demonstrate.
