A medieval peasant child could detect symbolic language in a fairy tale communicating eternal meta patterns in life that today most adults can't comprehend.
When modern man hears "myth" he thinks untrue, when myth is more than true, it's giving you a glimpse into the future if you recognize the patterns.
From a Christian perspective, I'm reading "Through New Eyes" by James B Jordan, and "A House for My Name" by Leithart, these get into what Jonathan Pageau's "Symbolic World" does for the Biblical symbolic worldview most modern Christians in the West have forgotten since the "Enlightenment," and for that reason often miss out on the enchanted worldview where the ancients were looking to the stars and realizing they were seeing a microcosm pattern of heaven, man being the microcosmic fulcrum where God united the heavens (intellectual) and the earth (body).
C.S. Lewis, Chesterton, and Tolkien were all trying to bring back this higher medieval understanding:
Lewis and Tolkien: G.K. Chesterton, Myth, and the Imagination - Ryan Reeves
I don’t think modern education is at all concerned with teaching facts. The opposite is the case, knowledge is eschewed in favour of skills and strategies. Progressive constructivist teaching tries to train people how to think, but the ‘what’ comes before the ‘how’. You can’t think critically when you have no domain knowledge.
Modern education was founded by pragmatist philosophers who believe the truth is literally determined by what is convenient to humans. It’s a totally insane ideology and the reason for some many problems vs the medieval universities were about studying the natures of the things
As someone with over 30 years in public education you could not be more right. Reforms to celebrate "critical thinking" are instruments to destroy it by demeaning the very foundation it could be built on.
There are two kinds of people: Those whose pride in their smartphone implies they believe they could have certainly invented it if it hadn't been placed between their forepaws, and those who hope they would be able to come up with fire.
When I read a book from the 18th century and then suddenly switch to any modern social media, it's like entering a mental asylum.
And it's even funnier when that asylum is trying to convince me that we are now at the peak of intelligence and knowledge because we know how to scroll TikTok videos on our smartphones.
You also have to consider that, theoretically, only the cream of the crop of 18th-century thought has trickled down to us -- whereas today you get a smattering of trillions of algorithmitized ramblings on social media. So, it's a bit of apples-to-oranges comparison.
You are absolutely correct, ma’am. Smarter, wiser, able to see things and understand things that we cannot. They would recognize the demons among us. Americans worship them. As a matter of fact, American cultural imperialism is a big reason the world is stupid. Your wonderful essay reminds us of a better time, and a sense of spirit and place we can reach again.
This was a fascinating read. I’m really interested in the Christian origins of these (once) great institutions that we’ve inherited. Have you or will you write about hospitals and their origin?
This was an amazing piece. I'm about to attend the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. I'm fortunate that I was given a scholarship, but my goal with my degree is to evangelize and work in apologetics, I hope you don't mind me referencing your article here at some point in the future. Also, where could one find works by Gascoigne and other historians you've mentioned - sort of a stupid man's beginners guide to learning about these amazing people. Thank you, once I start school I plan to subscribe. God Bless- In Christ <3
A well-written, illuminating article. I did, however, come across one mistake that you may wish to revise:
"Anyone who has even briefly studies physics and chemistry will recognize this electric sentence immediately."
I know it's small but as an English teacher I couldn't help myself. Keep doing what you're doing, of course; almost all that you write is a joy to read.
Interesting, thanks. I had never seen those university numbers before. But in addition to them, many larger churches had a bunch of clerics in minor orders who would likewise get an education for as long as they stayed. Add to that the boy altar servers (the size of medieval church chancels bears testimony to their numbers) and you have a situation where the majority of men had an education.
Always delighted to see a shout out to Albertus Magnus!
While what you say had much weight and truth I maintain hope. I come to know much of what I know through a deep love of reading but also University Education. So I have much hope, I know many brilliant educators and teachers who believe in the virtues of a classic education and hold value for history.
Though many of these modern teachers I admit are also members of the clergy. I suppose that comes with Seminary and studying History though. The rest of this world studies the grift and grind, there’s been an appalling shift away from a value for classical and liberal arts education for almost two decades now.
The modern context is upsetting. I feel many people do value these ideas and would study them more deeply if they had the time. Who has time when it’s all hustle harder, hustle and grind…and to dust you shall return.
I’m glad to see parallel education methods are on the rise. My own children have attended public school but I am very blessed to have been able to give them much schooling at home as well.
Keep raising this alarm. Your post does speak to so many facets of what ails us socially from toxic masculinity, to modern arrogance, to mental health crisis and beyond.
Thank you for writing this, I personally may have never studied or looked into a subject as rich as this one in my day to day life. Your Title "The Medieval Peasant was Smarter Than You" intrigued my interest, and you wasted no time getting into the details and history. Thank you!
Excellent. Just tonite 8/7 I read that Rome was better off because Democracy killed Socrates. Who amongst us are more mentally acute than the great Socrates? All persons should develop reason in order to live in a society trained to be our own masters. Of course we all know now that evil despises questions of any critical nature.
A medieval peasant child could detect symbolic language in a fairy tale communicating eternal meta patterns in life that today most adults can't comprehend.
Rapunzel - The Double Symbology of Hair - Pageau
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdLAuZGmUSI
When modern man hears "myth" he thinks untrue, when myth is more than true, it's giving you a glimpse into the future if you recognize the patterns.
From a Christian perspective, I'm reading "Through New Eyes" by James B Jordan, and "A House for My Name" by Leithart, these get into what Jonathan Pageau's "Symbolic World" does for the Biblical symbolic worldview most modern Christians in the West have forgotten since the "Enlightenment," and for that reason often miss out on the enchanted worldview where the ancients were looking to the stars and realizing they were seeing a microcosm pattern of heaven, man being the microcosmic fulcrum where God united the heavens (intellectual) and the earth (body).
C.S. Lewis, Chesterton, and Tolkien were all trying to bring back this higher medieval understanding:
Lewis and Tolkien: G.K. Chesterton, Myth, and the Imagination - Ryan Reeves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McnaNqj_vA4
This on Dante's Paradiso brings to light the medieval enchanted cosmology:
Dante's Paradiso & The 9 Levels of Heaven Explained - Windigoon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b__PdJegZTA
Yes!! Pageau all the way.
Thanks for these links.
I don’t think modern education is at all concerned with teaching facts. The opposite is the case, knowledge is eschewed in favour of skills and strategies. Progressive constructivist teaching tries to train people how to think, but the ‘what’ comes before the ‘how’. You can’t think critically when you have no domain knowledge.
Modern education was founded by pragmatist philosophers who believe the truth is literally determined by what is convenient to humans. It’s a totally insane ideology and the reason for some many problems vs the medieval universities were about studying the natures of the things
As someone with over 30 years in public education you could not be more right. Reforms to celebrate "critical thinking" are instruments to destroy it by demeaning the very foundation it could be built on.
There are two kinds of people: Those whose pride in their smartphone implies they believe they could have certainly invented it if it hadn't been placed between their forepaws, and those who hope they would be able to come up with fire.
When I read a book from the 18th century and then suddenly switch to any modern social media, it's like entering a mental asylum.
And it's even funnier when that asylum is trying to convince me that we are now at the peak of intelligence and knowledge because we know how to scroll TikTok videos on our smartphones.
You also have to consider that, theoretically, only the cream of the crop of 18th-century thought has trickled down to us -- whereas today you get a smattering of trillions of algorithmitized ramblings on social media. So, it's a bit of apples-to-oranges comparison.
Can you give me a list of 5 if your most recommended from that era in your reading experience.
I have only read many a book that was aged less than 100 years. So my scope is very limited 😂
You are absolutely correct, ma’am. Smarter, wiser, able to see things and understand things that we cannot. They would recognize the demons among us. Americans worship them. As a matter of fact, American cultural imperialism is a big reason the world is stupid. Your wonderful essay reminds us of a better time, and a sense of spirit and place we can reach again.
This was a fascinating read. I’m really interested in the Christian origins of these (once) great institutions that we’ve inherited. Have you or will you write about hospitals and their origin?
This was an amazing piece. I'm about to attend the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. I'm fortunate that I was given a scholarship, but my goal with my degree is to evangelize and work in apologetics, I hope you don't mind me referencing your article here at some point in the future. Also, where could one find works by Gascoigne and other historians you've mentioned - sort of a stupid man's beginners guide to learning about these amazing people. Thank you, once I start school I plan to subscribe. God Bless- In Christ <3
A well-written, illuminating article. I did, however, come across one mistake that you may wish to revise:
"Anyone who has even briefly studies physics and chemistry will recognize this electric sentence immediately."
I know it's small but as an English teacher I couldn't help myself. Keep doing what you're doing, of course; almost all that you write is a joy to read.
Interesting, thanks. I had never seen those university numbers before. But in addition to them, many larger churches had a bunch of clerics in minor orders who would likewise get an education for as long as they stayed. Add to that the boy altar servers (the size of medieval church chancels bears testimony to their numbers) and you have a situation where the majority of men had an education.
Always delighted to see a shout out to Albertus Magnus!
While what you say had much weight and truth I maintain hope. I come to know much of what I know through a deep love of reading but also University Education. So I have much hope, I know many brilliant educators and teachers who believe in the virtues of a classic education and hold value for history.
Though many of these modern teachers I admit are also members of the clergy. I suppose that comes with Seminary and studying History though. The rest of this world studies the grift and grind, there’s been an appalling shift away from a value for classical and liberal arts education for almost two decades now.
The modern context is upsetting. I feel many people do value these ideas and would study them more deeply if they had the time. Who has time when it’s all hustle harder, hustle and grind…and to dust you shall return.
I’m glad to see parallel education methods are on the rise. My own children have attended public school but I am very blessed to have been able to give them much schooling at home as well.
Keep raising this alarm. Your post does speak to so many facets of what ails us socially from toxic masculinity, to modern arrogance, to mental health crisis and beyond.
Thank you for writing this, I personally may have never studied or looked into a subject as rich as this one in my day to day life. Your Title "The Medieval Peasant was Smarter Than You" intrigued my interest, and you wasted no time getting into the details and history. Thank you!
Excellent. Just tonite 8/7 I read that Rome was better off because Democracy killed Socrates. Who amongst us are more mentally acute than the great Socrates? All persons should develop reason in order to live in a society trained to be our own masters. Of course we all know now that evil despises questions of any critical nature.
I'm just reading the writings from the 16th century on how to raise a nobleman. Latin, French, art, Bible, fencing, just to name a few.
Compare it to teens nowadays, who except scrolling on their phones know... what else?
Fascinating! Thank you.
That title got my attention and a laugh. But I thought hey - maybe they were! Let’s read it. And glad I did. Now I look forward to the next one.
An inspired revisiting of an exciting time in the history of the West. More please!