How did the ideas of humanism differ from the beliefs of the middle ages?

Humanism of the Renaissance believed that we could learn from the pagan world, primarily art and philosophy. This art and philosophy became well known in the European west after the fall of Constantinople, and the westerners wanted to 'fit it in' with their Christian faith. Jews and Muslims also practiced this humanism, especially in the Muslim Empire which included much ancient learning from Greek, Persian, and Egyptian societies.