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  • The Closing of the Western Mind

  • The Rise of Faith and the Fall of Reason
  • By: Charles Freeman
  • Narrated by: Nigel Patterson
  • Length: 16 hrs and 2 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (10 ratings)

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The Closing of the Western Mind

By: Charles Freeman
Narrated by: Nigel Patterson
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Summary

A radical and powerful reappraisal of the impact of Constantine's adoption of Christianity on the later Roman world, and on the subsequent development both of Christianity and of Western civilization. 

When the Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in 368 AD, he changed the course of European history in ways that continue to have repercussions to the present day. Adopting those aspects of the religion that suited his purposes, he turned Rome on a course from the relatively open, tolerant, and pluralistic civilization of the Hellenistic world, towards a culture that was based on the rule of fixed authority, whether that of the Bible, or the writings of Ptolemy in astronomy and of Galen and Hippocrates in medicine. Only a thousand years later, with the advent of the Renaissance and the emergence of modern science, did Europe begin to free itself from the effects of Constantine's decision, yet the effects of his establishment of Christianity as a state religion remain with us, in many respects, today. Brilliantly wide-ranging and ambitious, this is a major work of history.
©2002 Charles Freeman (P)2021 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
Rome Europe History Christianity Religious Studies
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Profile Image for curliegirlie

Thought provoking book. Critical Thinking

A great read. Critical thinking at its best and how theology tried/tries to suppress it with faith through the years.
A must read text for any Logical, rational, evidence based reasoned people. Everyone else... You might not like it but you do need it.

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