The Closing of the Western Mind

The Rise of Faith and the Fall of Reason

By: Charles Freeman

Narrated by: Nigel Patterson

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

Indictment

A succession of rulers, religious and otherwise, did a real number on the human ability to think rationally without a lot of non rational nothings clouding the Western mind.

Fantastic.

This should be required reading. As they say, the truth will set you free and this book will help set you free from slavery of organized religion.

great research pays off

I enjoyed this book so much I have listened to it twice, narrator was excellent which certainly helped move the book along.

the political construction of Christianity

brilliantly explicate history of the early Church and its Platonic roots, well read and engaging

Convolution of the events

Too many names regarding the scholars of the church. Outdoor have been written more to the story line, church and politics in the 4th century. Without the unnecessary distractions…