ON THE VERGE OF A NEW SOCIAL COLLAPSE (I)

 ON THE VERGE OF A NEW SOCIAL COLLAPSE (I)

How Does a New Middle Age Emerge?

The term "Middle Ages" remains contentious. While Europe’s medieval period is universally recognized, applying this label to other civilizations or eras sparks debate. To avoid romanticized notions of knights, castles, and dragons, we might instead define "Middle Ages" as Intermediate Periods—phases of civilizational decline marked by political fragmentation, cultural stagnation, and social regression. From this perspective, countless societies across history have endured their own "Middle Ages," regardless of time or geography.

These eras of decline are often preceded by a Social Collapse, whose triggers vary but share recurring patterns. Whether such moments are interpreted as collapse or progress depends on ideological lenses: conservatives may mourn lost traditions, while positivists celebrate transformative potential.

Is Our Era Sliding Toward a New Middle Age?

Could today’s cultural, scientific, and political turbulence signal a descent into a New Middle Age? Consider that 40% of Americans now foresee civil war, according to recent polls—a fracture with global repercussions. Amid escalating crises, from wars to technological alienation, identifying the markers of this looming collapse becomes urgent.

Before addressing this question, however, we must examine historical precedents and their lessons.

Consequences of Social Collapse

Social collapse manifests through interrelated phenomena:

1. Separatism and Social Isolation

• Psychological Separatism: In our hyperconnected age, technology fosters superficial relationships over meaningful bonds. A thousand digital "friends" replace genuine companionship, while neighbors remain strangers. Communities dissolve into atomized individuals, dying unnoticed in crowds.
• Political Separatism: Youth increasingly reject national identity, not out of global idealism but nihilistic individualism. The result? Rebellions without cause—hooded vandals destroying cities on a whim. Meanwhile, separatist movements romanticize mythic medieval pasts, ignoring historical nuance.
• Racial Separatism: Despite unprecedented intercultural exchange, racism resurges violently. Oppressors and oppressed alike weaponize identity, eroding shared humanity

2. Famines, Wars and Epidemics

These age-old crises persist, amplified by modern inequalities and ecological strain.

3. Erosion of Knowledge

Scientific and technological progress risks reversal as societies prioritize immediacy over deep learning.

4. Sectarianism

Fragmentation breeds extremist groups, exploiting disillusionment with hollow ideologies.

Reclaiming Human Dignity: A Path Forward

In the face of this, we need to:

Promote an ideal of international brotherhood, based on respect for human dignity, beyond racial, sexual, cultural, religious and social differences.

The central concept to bear in mind is that of “Human Dignity”, something that is present in all human beings despite their differences, that is to say, it is about the recognition of a fundamental essence “behind everything visible and measurable”, the colorless ray behind all colors and appearances. 

Amid these fractures, Renaissance humanist Pico della Mirandola’s Oration on the Dignity of Man offers timeless wisdom. He proclaimed:

"Magnum, o Asclepi, miraculum est homo"

"Man is a great miracle, O Asclepius!"

For Pico, humanity’s essence lies in our capacity to shape destiny through reason and moral choice. All people—regardless of race, creed, or status—share this divine spark. His words remind us:

"I have placed you at the world’s center... You may degenerate into beasts or regenerate into divinity."

To counter today’s collapse, we must recenter human dignity—the immutable value inherent in every person. This requires:

• Fostering international brotherhood grounded in mutual respect.
• Rejecting tribalism while preserving cultural richness.
• Reviving philosophy as a tool for ethical progress.

Technology, instead of isolating us, should reconnect humanity to its shared miracle. The New Middle Age need not be inevitable—if we choose elevation over decline.