One way to characterize an era, is to look at the extent to which ideas of "scientific rationality" and "freedom" are pulling in the same direction, vs in opposite directions.

The answer flips back and forth surprisingly often!

https://chatgpt.com/share/67abbbff-fec8-8012-b772-bade8a93c8b7

In more modern times, I feel like I've noticed a rapid shift from the 2010s, when the two were aligned (eg. see SSC rationalism) to the 2020s, where the two are perceived to be quite a bit more at odds with each other.