--Lessons--

Formal logic gave humanity a tool for checking thought itself. Aristotle’s syllogisms showed that an argument is not strong just because it sounds persuasive. The conclusion has to follow from the premises. Logic does not replace reality, but it helps clean up our ideas before reality pushes back.

Featured QUOTE

Updated This Week

History

Quote

“The first person who thought of saying ‘This is mine’ was the real founder of civil society.”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau
1755

Social Constructs

Submitted as an entry to a competition sponsored by the Academy of Dijon, which posed a question on the origin of inequality.

A Social Construct is a shared non-natural belief; created and maintained by groups; and they shape reality.

Featured FAQ

Updated This Week

Philosophy

FAQ

Which tradition puts friendship above all else?

Eudaimonia

Epicurus, from about 300 BCE, promoted the cultivation of friendships. He taught that friendship is life’s greatest good, more important than wealth or status. True pleasure comes from lasting contentment, shared trust, and mutual care. Friendship provides emotional security, practical support, and the calm needed for a tranquil, fulfilling life.

Updated Tidbits

History

TST Evolution Timeline

Earth Evolution

07 Jul 2026

(Updated 2 days ago)

History

Story

Gautama Buddha

The "Buddha"

Buddhism

07 Jul 2026

(Updated 2 days ago)

Critical Thinking

Story

Founder, Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

07 Jul 2026

(Updated 3 days ago)

No more posts to show

The Human Story in Time

World history from prehistory to our time.

History traces the arc of humanity from the earliest hominin artifacts through post-medieval civilization and into what we call “Our Time.” It studies how ideas, cultures, technologies, and power structures evolve under real-world pressures. Dates are not arbitrary—they frame how we interpret meaning, continuity, and change.

Deep-Dive Articles

Our Time

Education: On Testing in Schools

Michael Alan Prestwood April 6, 2026

Anonymous practice tests help teachers spot knowledge gaps and teach more effectively.

1 Goal (Ethics)Ancient History Book-30 Philosophers

No Kings Has Deep Historical Roots

Michael Alan Prestwood October 11, 2025

Recent protests reflect the timeless struggle to limit power and oppression using checks and balances.

Ancient History

Pragmatism and Pythagoras

February 3, 2025

Pythagoras exemplifies rational pragmatism and reminds us that authority is often topic specific. Choose your authorities carefully, because good authority is usually limited to a ...

USA

Women’s Rights History in 3 Minutes!

November 4, 2024

History shows that when rights are left to the states, they’re often lost, limited, or delayed. Check out the story of women's rights from gaining ...

Ancient History

Confucius and the Analects: His Teachings, No Doubt

September 25, 2024

Honor the life you are standing in. Spirituality is lived in the present role: with respect, sincerity, restraint, gratitude, and care.

Must-Reads

Ancient History

Pragmatism and Pythagoras

Pythagoras exemplifies rational pragmatism and reminds us that authority is often topic specific. Choose your authorities carefully, because good authority is usually limited to a ...

Ancient Humans

The Evolution of Vocabulary in Ancient Humans

The evolution of language is the evolution of communication. From touch which evolved about 800 million years ago to human words. Along the journey, communication ...