Perhaps by this time the 14th century was not quite sane. If enlightened self-interest is the criterion of sanity, in the verdict of Michelet, no epoch was more naturally mad.
The 14th century was characterized by chaos and turmoil, leading some historians to argue that the era was marked by insanity. Barbara W. Tuchman, in her book "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," reflects on the notion of sanity through the lens of self-interest as described by historian Jules Michelet. He suggested that if acting in enlightened self-interest defines rational behavior, then the actions and events of the 14th century reveal a time deeply entrenched in madness.
This period was rife with crises, including the Black Death, wars, and social upheaval, prompting a reevaluation of the rationality of individuals and society as a whole. Tuchman's examination highlights the complexities of human behavior during times of extreme distress, suggesting that the 14th century, with its overwhelming challenges, blurred the lines of sanity and rationality.
