In Europe the medieval period started after the Roman Empire fell and lasted until the renaissance.
Population decline, counterurbanisation, invasion, and movement of peoples…from
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages
Durring this time we had:
The Inquisition was a group of institutions within the government system of the Catholic Church whose aim was to combat heresy. It started in 12th-century France to combat religious sectarianism, in particular the Cathars and the Waldensians. Other groups investigated later included the Spiritual Franciscans, the Hussites (followers of Jan Hus) and Beguines. Beginning in the 1250s, inquisitors were generally chosen from members of the Dominican Order, replacing the earlier practice of using local clergy as judges.[1] The term Medieval Inquisition covers these courts up to mid-15th century.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquisition
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery
Also lots of slavery. And witch hunts.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch-hunt
Ok maybe this time wasn’t so bad but that doesn’t help my point so it’s just a side note.
http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/6-reasons-the-dark-ages-werent-so-dark
Anyways the major philosophy durring these dark ages viewed humans as being inherently evil. This goes together perfectly when we consider the modern version of this philosophy reincarnated that is climate change.
Climate Change history has a major branch that comes from Thomas Malthus perhaps further back. This philosophy which is now the major paradigm followed by Ehrlich, Holdren, Gates, Turner, etc.
The renaissance was a time when people viewed themselves as inherently good.
“Pico della Mirandola. This is the first part of the famous Oration written by the humanist Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494). The extract contains the main ideas of Pico concerning human nature. … According to Pico della Mirandola human nature is a repository of instruments by which each individual can shape his/her life.”