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The “Dark” Middle Ages

By Michael Alan Prestwood

Mon 10 Jun 2024
Published 2 years ago.
Updated 1 month ago.
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The Middle Ages, from the end of the classical era to the Renaissance, is traditionally seen as intellectually dark due to the dominance of a single narrative over the unknown. It is characterized by the rise of belief systems.

The “Dark” Middle Ages

New Look

30 Phil, Chapter 14: At the start of part 2 titled “The Rise of Belief Systems,” we take a new look at the old debate of whether it was a “dark” time or not. The position we take is that the Middle Ages were “intellectually dark” due to the adoption of a single story. Philosophically and politically, the adopting of a single story for the unknown is dangerous and the dark Middle Ages stands as warning. 

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Michael Alan Prestwood
Author & Natural Philosopher
Prestwood writes on science-first philosophy, with particular attention to the convergence of disciplines. Drawing on his TST Framework, his work emphasizes rational inquiry grounded in empirical observation while engaging questions at the edges of established knowledge. With TouchstoneTruth positioned as a living touchstone, this work aims to contribute reliable, evolving analysis in an emerging AI era where the credibility of information is increasingly contested.
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May 2026
»COLUMN ARCHIVE
--COLUMN--
Column Research….
1. Timeline Story
Book: The Idea of History
2. Linked Quote
“The historian without his facts is rootless…the facts without their historian are…meaningless.”
3. Science FAQ »
Is science tainted by bias?
4. Philosophy FAQ »
Debating History: Should We Say “Dark Ages” or “Middle Ages?”
5. Critical Thinking FAQ »
What is the preservation bias?
6. History FAQ!
Did Einstein’s driver really give one of his early talks?
Bonus Deep-Dive Article
TST Philosophy of History

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