Light On Dark Water

Science in the Middle Ages

Craig Burrell has a fascinating review of a book called The Foundations of Modern Science in the Middle Ages. It's really an essay on the subject, so expect to spend more time with it than you would on the average blog post, but well worth it.

In the comments on any controversial religion-related topic at the big news sites you can count on encountering the person who thinks he's settled the argument by sneering that When religion ruled the world, we called it the Dark Ages. This is like holding up a sign saying "Ignorant and proud of it."

Maclin Horton
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8 responses to “Science in the Middle Ages”

  1. Anne-Marie

    When religion ruled the world, we called it the Dark Ages.
    That’s right up there with the bumper sticker that says, The last time we mixed politics with religion, people got burned at the stake.

    Reply
  2. Mac

    Yeah, equally brilliant. I doubt the people who say things like that could give a coherent explanation of what they mean by “mixing politics with religion” that wouldn’t equally condemn, e.g., William Wilberforce.

    Reply
  3. Daniel Nichols

    Speaking of such, I just finished a book called The Abacus and the Cross,by Nancy Marie Brown,which tells the tale of Gerbert of Aurillac, who became Pope Sylvester II, who ruled at the turn of the first millenium. Gerbert was a scientist and mathematician, and the first Christian to teach math using Arabic numerals. The author shatters the myth of the Dark Ages, at least as far as superstition vs science goes (ecclesiastical politics were certainly dark, with popes poisoned and otherwise dispatched, and often woefully irreligious). She also illuminates the West’s debt to Islam, which preserved the texts of Aristotle, Plato, and others. And gives a glimpse of the high culture of Cordoba, where Christians, Jews and Muslims lived in harmony and pursued learning together…pretty fascinating, and a far cry from the Monty Python image most moderns carry around in their heads.

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  4. Mac

    Sounds fascinating.

    Reply
  5. Craig

    Thanks for the kind words, Mac. I have seen the book you refer to, Daniel, and I thought it looked interesting. In fact, I had had a vague idea that Gerbert would be an interesting figure to write a book around, and I was glad when somebody else did it.
    That long post (to which you link) may be the last you hear from me for a while. My wife gave birth to a beautiful little boy on Friday (6 lb 13 oz), so we have our hands full. It’s a happy time! Deo Gratias!

    Reply
  6. Mac

    Fantastic! Didn’t know you were expecting another! I hope Iona will be accomodating.

    Reply
  7. Paul

    Congratulations!

    Reply
  8. Craig

    Thanks!
    I hope that Iona will be accommodating too. (So far, so pretty good.)
    His name is Michael.

    Reply

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