Three Renaissance Pacifists (American University Studies)

The theories of the Renaissance pacifist humanists grew out of the dynastic wars of the early sixteenth century and are a protest against them. In the works of Erasmus and Vives, they are outspoken platforms of rhetoric and philosophy. More's approach relies more on subtle fictional ironic implications rather than outright denunciation. All three humanists were close friends and were in the avant-garde of important social, political, cultural, and educational causes, not the least of which was their love of peace.