Improvement Through the Love of Learning

From our discussions on the paper by Pico dela Mirandola, it is clear that the renaissance was a period in which there began to be a focus on the potential and divinity of man. Transitioning from the Middle Ages where man was viewed as unclean and unworthy before God, it appears that the Renaissance was a complete turn around in almost all aspects of societal culture.
For example, we can begin by looking at what Mirandola discusses about man having immeasurable potential.

We then can look to other sources that show a significant focus being placed on self improvement through learning. In the excerpt from Utopia, book two, titled "Utopians' Love of Learning", we read of Sir Thomas Moore's experience in a classroom as students are learning. I was very interested in the overall tone that he writes with. Looking beyond the positive things he has to say about this amazing learning experience that he was observing in students, one can also read between the lines to note the positive attitude he is writing with, as if there is hope for the future that he can't contain. This is what I feel and think of when I read of the Renaissance period.
From numerous sources one can find this same optimism for the future, and positive attitude about the nature and potential of man. Rather than a focus on the bare necessities of Middle Age life such as war and food, people are beginning to seek out more, whether it be in learning, in self improvement, or in seeing the good in others. Further evidence of this attitude of improvement and "expansion" can be seen in Sir Walter Raleigh's documentation of the discovery of Guiana. As one reads between the lines, they are able to understand that this time period was one of exploration and discovering new and better things, physically and spiritually.