How did humanist ideas inspire renaissance scientists in their quest for knowledge

It encouraged scientist to explore with theories, experiments, and new ways of thinking. Humanist ideas didn't revolve their way of thinking around their church only, but in improving one's self while participating in religion regularly.

Humanist ideas were involved more on the person than the church, and promoted a questioning attitude. This questioning attitude inspired scientists to question the world around them, which led to new discoveries (like the Heliocentric Universe).