Chapter 2- The Four Great Revolutions in Thought and Religion:

(1). Compare the four “great revolutions” in thought and religion.

(2). Examine origins & teachings of Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism.

(3). Examine the significance of ancient India’s Upanishadic Worldview.

(4). Compare and contrast the Jain Tradition with the “middle path” of Buddhism.

(5). Outline early Hebrew historical origins, and explain the significance of the Hebrew’s view of one God.

(6). Examine ancient Greek philosophy, and the significance of reason when applied to nature and society.

(7). Compare & contrast major philosophical ideas of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

(8). Discuss the role and influence of religion and philosophy on ancient civilizations.

v Comparing the Four Great Revolutions (River Valley Map):

Ø China’s culture & geography (see Diagram)

§ natural barriers => impact?

Ø Indian subcontinent

§ In contrast to China’s geography

§ Indus vs. Vedic

Ø Southwest Asia & Mediterranean

§ Lack of direct line to:

· Greek Philosophy

· Judaic ethical monotheism

§ Contributions substantial but different

· Christianity

Ø Points in common to all of above?

v Philosophy of China:

Ø Background: Chinese tradition

§ Disintegration of old Eastern Chou Dynasty

§ Result: 100 schools search

· Emergence of Chinese philosophy

· 3 major schools of 100 schools?

§ Only fragments (Ch’in) of other schools survive:

· Rhetoricians

· Logicians

· Strategists

· Cosmologists

· Mohists

Ø Confucianism:

§ Classics => Analects (?)

§ Confucius’ objective?

· Striving for harmony (How?)

· The Master’s vision?

· Achieving good government?

¨ Official adoption of Confucianism?

§ Two other Confucian philosophers:

· Mencius

· Hsun-tzu

Ø Taoism

§ Two schools – Lao-tzu & Chuang-tzu

§ Central concept?

§ Goal?

§ Lao-tzu school:

· The uncarved block?

§ Political philosophy of Taoism:

· Not doing?

· Other related principles

Ø Legalism

§ Precept?

§ Policy – rewards & punishment

§ Han Fei-tzu & Li Ssu

§ Dynasty embracing Legalism?

· Legacy?

v Religion in India:

Ø Indus & Vedic influence & the role of Upanishads

Ø Upanishadic Worldview – two new ideas introduced:

§ Nature of reality & the quest for knowledge

· Atman-Brahman

§ Changeless impermanence & suffering

§ Life after death => samsara & karma

§ Two possible paths for dealing with samsara

· Dharma

· Moska & its implications & problems

¨ Achieving “non-action” => the “renouncer”

Ø Jain Tradition

§ Worldview – ceaseless rebirth & re-death

§ Mahavira’s role & the path to enlightenment

§ Jain Monks & their supporters=> Ahimsa & compassion

Ø Buddha & the Middle Path

§ Siddhartha Gautama’s origin & motivation

§ Yogi meditation => enlightenment

§ Pursuing the “middle path”

· “four noble truths”

· “eight fold path”

· Buddhist Dharma & its fundamental vision

v Religion of the Israelites

Ø Early Hebrew History - brief overview

§ Abraham & Moses

§ Saul, David, & Solomon

§ Two kingdoms

· Destruction of the Kingdoms of Israel & Judah

¨ 10 lost tribes & Babylonian captivity

§ Return to homeland as Persian province

Ø Monotheistic Revolution

§ Hebrew view of God:

· One, Sovereign, Transcendent, Good & caring

· Contrast to Near Eastern religious view

§ Impact of Hebrew religious thought:

· Individual’s worth & human dignity

§ Role of the prophets => moral compass

§ Legacy => Influence & significance:

· Social Justice

· Universalism

· Individualism

v Greek Philosophy:

Ø Reason & the scientific spirit applied to Nature

§ New concept of nature

§ New method of inquiry

§ New role for reason

§ Ionian Natural Philosophers

§ Other Greek thinkers of 6^th & 5^th century BC

Ø Reason applied to society

§ Political & moral philosophy

§ The Sophists:

· Examining political & ethical problems

· Rhetoric, grammar, poetry, math, gymnastics

· It’s all relative - its impact on Greek society

Ø Ancient Greece’s philosophical giants & their major ideas:

§ Socrates & his response to the Sophists

· Perfection of individual human character

§ Plato’s “Theory of Ideas” & the “Philosopher King”

§ Aristotle’s political & ethical thought

· The value of the senses applied with reason

v Role & influence of religion & philosophy on the ancients:

Ø Man’s quest for knowledge & understanding

§ The Nature of the universe & man’s relationship to it

§ “The Human Condition”

Ø Ancient Near Eastern Civilization

§ Role of religion & its influence on society

§ Priest- kings & god-kings

Ø Chinese Philosophy

§ Eastern perspective with religious dimension

· Combined philosophy with religious aspect

· Total way (Tao) of life

§ In contrast to western perspective:

· West distinguished between religion & philosophy

Ø Indian Religions – also different from western view

§ Endless cycle of re-birth & re-death => samsara

· Paths to escape the cycle through ethical conduct

· Variations followed to achieve enlightenment & escape

Ø Judeo-Christen traditions provide guide for western cultures

§ Ethical monotheism => respect for human dignity

Ø Greek Philosophy

§ Reason & rational thought applied to nature & society