Grand Unifying Theories

The "Axial Age" was a phrase coined by German existen­tialist philosopher Karl Jaspers. While writing a history of philosophy he became interested that  Py­thagoras (570-495 BC), the Buddha (563-483 BC), and Confucius (551-479 BC), were all alive at exactly the same time. So intellectual schools emerged, all debating the same philosophical questions, all unaware of each other. Jaspers started his Age with the Persian prophet Zoroaster, around 800 BC, and ended it around 200 BC. Jesus and Mohammed eventually created his "Spiritual Age."

In "Debt" The author David Graeber argues that coinage emerged during the Axial Age as well, in exactly the same places and the same time, again independently. He poses the notion that expansion, war, armies and the need to pay armies simultaneously created the fertile field for both philosophical reflection and coins.

We humans seek unifying principles from quantum mechanics to global warming to God.