Access

Essay

Nature 452, 816-818 (17 April 2008) | doi:10.1038/452816a; Published online 16 April 2008

Open Innovation Challenges

naturejobs

Triumph of the medieval mind

Philip Ball1

  1. Philip Ball is a consultant editor for Nature. His new book Universe of Stone: Chartres Cathedral and the Triumph of the Medieval Mind is published next month by Bodley Head.

Top

Modern science began several hundred years earlier than we have come to imagine. It got going in the twelfth century — and with it, the long-standing rift between reason and faith.

The popular caricature locates the origins of modern science in the natural philosophies of ancient Greece and the rediscovery of their spirit during the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. It passes decorously over the intervening period, deemed to be a hotbed of superstition.

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Material witness The materials of history

Nature Materials News and Views (01 Nov 2007)