[artem247]

>> economic conditions do not change someones quest for knowledge

In my country science almost ceased to exist after the fall of Soviet Union. So economic conditions do play a role. The western Age of Reason in XVIII also has relationship to complex changes in the society - rise of merchant class, acceptance of usury, etc. And I would say that "whole population avoids science like a plague" would be a strong overstatement more echoing the modern view on Islamic countries with strong Salafi influence.

[heavenlyblue]

I would like to see what the OP would do if they were suddenly forced to live in the Stone Age. Would they spend time doing philosophising or restoring the civilisation and actually feeding themselves?

[2Gkashmiri]

imagine living in the stone age and finding yourself in ancient greece meeting a madman named plato and socrates

[heavenlyblue]

We're speaking of the degradation of our living conditions to the Stone Age, not an actual time travel into the past.