In this first of three presentations delivered to the Renaissance or Dark Age Symposium on September 7, 2025 in Toronto Ontario, Matt Ehret introduces the concept of Renaissances and Dark Ages as the effects of principles (or the defiance) of Universal Principles of Natural Law applicable to ALL societies across ALL ages. What are those common attributes of societies that lose the fitness to survive and what are those common attributes of societies that experience bursts of creative innovation, increased longevity, increased intelligence, increased peace and increased commerce?

Does human population growth prove that we are just a cancer on Gaia OR is it possible that population growth can be a sign of doing things right? How do we know? What is the common thread linking philosophy, art, science and statecraft and how does that unite our modern world with the ancient world (and our deep future)?

All of these questions and more are explored in Part 1: The Renaissance Principle De-Mystified (Matt Ehret):

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Part 2: How to Conquer Tyranny and Defeat Tragedy (Cynthia Chung)

Read Cynthia’s full essay on Plato and Cicero here.

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Part 3: Changing Images of Man and Prometheus (David Gosselin)