Until the advent of materialism and 19th c. dogma, Western Civilisation was superior to anything Islam had developed. Islam has not aided in the development of the modern world; in fact civilisation has only been created in spite of Islam. Proof of this resides in the 'modern' world and the unending political-economic and spiritual poverty of Muslim states and regions. Squatting on richer civilisations is not 'progress'. Islam is pagan, totalitarian, and irrational.
A very short incomplete list of individuals who shaped philosophical and theological thought from the early Middle Ages through the Renaissance.
John Scotus Eriugena (c. 810–877): An Irish philosopher and theologian who integrated Neoplatonism with Christian theology.
Gerbert of Aurillac (Pope Sylvester II) (c. 946–1003): A scholar and pope who introduced Arabic numerals and mathematical knowledge to Europe.
William the Conqueror (William of Normandy) (c. 1028–1087): The Duke of Normandy who conquered England in 1066, transforming its political and social landscape.
Anselm of Canterbury (c. 1033–1109): A philosopher and theologian known for his ontological argument for the existence of God.
Peter Lombard (c. 1100–1160): A theologian whose Sentences became a standard theological textbook.
Adelard of Bath (12th century): A scholar who translated Arabic scientific works, introducing important knowledge to Europe.
William of Conches (c. 1090–1154): A philosopher and theologian who emphasized the importance of natural philosophy.
Bernard of Chartres (12th century): A philosopher who emphasized the importance of studying the works of past thinkers.
Peter Abelard (1079–1142): A philosopher and theologian known for his dialectical method and controversial love affair with Heloise.
Innocent II (died 1143): A pope who asserted papal authority and dealt with various religious and political conflicts.
Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225–1274): A Dominican friar and theologian who synthesized Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology.
Bishop Siger (Siger of Brabant) (c. 1240–1284): A philosopher who championed Aristotelianism, leading to conflicts with traditional theological views.
William of Ockham (c. 1287–1347): A philosopher known for his principle of parsimony (Ockham's Razor) and his contributions to logic and political thought.
Vincent Ferrer (c. 1350–1419): A Dominican friar and preacher known for his fiery sermons and apocalyptic prophecies.
René Descartes (1596–1650): A philosopher, mathematician, and scientist who is considered the father of modern philosophy.
Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556): A Spanish nobleman who founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), an influential religious order.
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These writers and poets captured the imagination and chronicled the events of their times.
Gregory of Tours (c. 538–594): A bishop and historian who chronicled the history of the Franks.
Bede (c. 672–735): A monk and historian known as the "Father of English History."
Alcuin of York (c. 735–804): A scholar and advisor to Charlemagne who played a key role in the Carolingian Renaissance.
Beowulf Poet (Unknown, c. 8th–11th century): The anonymous author of the epic poem Beowulf.
Marie de France (c. 12th century): A poet known for her short narrative poems about love and adventure.
Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179): A Benedictine abbess, mystic, composer, and writer.
Dante Alighieri (c. 1265–1321): The author of the Divine Comedy, an epic poem about a journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.
Petrarch (1304–1374): An Italian poet and scholar who is considered one of the founders of humanism.
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343–1400): The author of the Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories told by pilgrims on a journey.
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Don Pelayo (c. 685–737): A Visigothic nobleman who initiated the Reconquista in Spain.
Charles Martel (c. 688–741): A Frankish leader who defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Tours, halting their advance into Europe.
Charlemagne (c. 742–814): King of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor who united much of Western Europe.
Alfred the Great (849–899): King of Wessex who defended England against Viking invasions and promoted education and literacy.
Edward the Elder (c. 874–924): King of the Anglo-Saxons who continued his father Alfred's work of unifying England.
Athelstan (c. 894–939): King of the Anglo-Saxons who achieved the first unification of England.
El Cid (Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar) (c. 1043–1099): A Castilian nobleman and military leader who fought both for and against Christian and Muslim rulers.
William the Conqueror (William of Normandy) (c. 1028–1087): The Duke of Normandy who conquered England in 1066.
Godfrey de Bouillon (c. 1060–1100): A leader of the First Crusade and the first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Baldwin IV of Jerusalem (Baldwin the Leper) (1161–1185): King of Jerusalem who, despite suffering from leprosy, successfully defended his kingdom.
Richard the Lionheart (1157–1199): King of England, known for his military exploits in the Third Crusade.
Saint Louis IX of France (1214–1270): King of France known for his piety and his leadership in the Seventh and Eighth Crusades.
Ferdinand III of Castile and León (1199–1252): King of Castile and León who played a major role in the Reconquista.
Alfonso X of Castile and León (1221–1284): King of Castile and León known for his patronage of learning and the arts.
Edward I of England (1239-1307): King of England who reformed English law and administration and conquered Wales.
Edward III of England (1312-1377): King of England who initiated the Hundred Years' War with France.
Henry V of England (1386-1422): King of England who achieved major victories in the Hundred Years' War.
Joan of Arc (c. 1412–1431): A French peasant girl who led French armies to victory in the Hundred Years' War.
Ferdinand II of Aragon (1452–1516): King of Aragon who, with his wife Isabella, unified Spain and sponsored Columbus's voyages.
Isabella I of Castile (1451–1504): Queen of Castile who, with her husband Ferdinand, unified Spain and sponsored Columbus's voyages.
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Benedictines (6th Century, founded by Saint Benedict): A monastic order known for its Rule, which emphasizes prayer, work, and community life.
Cistercians (11th Century, founded by Robert of Molesme): A monastic order that emphasized a simpler and stricter interpretation of the Benedictine Rule.
Carthusians (11th Century, founded by Saint Bruno): A monastic order known for its eremitical lifestyle, with monks living in individual cells.
Premonstratensians (12th Century, founded by Saint Norbert): A monastic order that combines elements of contemplative and active religious life.
Franciscans (13th Century, founded by Saint Francis of Assisi): A mendicant order known for its poverty, preaching, and service to the poor.
Dominicans (13th Century, founded by Saint Dominic): A mendicant order known for its intellectual tradition and its role in combating heresy.
Augustinians (13th Century, various groups unified under Augustinian Rule): A monastic order that follows the Rule of St. Augustine, emphasizing community life and apostolic work.
Jesuits (16th Century, founded by Ignatius of Loyola): A religious order known for its missionary work, education, and intellectual pursuits.