1. Culture and Religion in Eurasia/N Africa
Greece: Development of rational humanism-the idea that humans can understand the world through their own senses and minds (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and others)
All of the above sought a means of forgoing ritual and sacrifice to placate the gods, an alternative to polytheistic beliefs
Looked for order and meaning in the universe
To guide humans to a personal moral or spiritual transformation (particularly in the development of compassion
Many of the questions raised 2500 years ago by all of these folks still move and trouble the human race
Each also defined its own distinctive culture; distinctions still visible and viable today.

2. Culture and Religion in Eurasia/N Africa
Around 500BCE many durable cultural traditions emerged that have shaped the world since.
China: Confucius and Laozi
India: the Upanishads defined Hinduism and Siddhartha Gautama set Buddhism into motion
Middle East: Monotheism in the air
A. Persian: Zoroastrianism (prophet Zarathustra)
B. Israel: Judaism (various prophets such Isaiah)

3. Concurrence: the historical idea that ideas may develop in parallel with little or no contact
Why did these traditions develop at essentially the same time in different areas?
a. some historians believe major social changes occurred
b. iron age tech led to deadlier war and higher economic productivity
c. new states and empires emerged and consolidated
d. new contact between emerging and emergent civilizations
What is unknown is why particular societies developed particular answers in such particular ways

4. CHINA: THE SEARCH FOR ORDER
China has a tradition of state/empire going back to 2000BCE.
Mandate of Heaven: established in Chinese culture by 1122BCE(foundation of Zhou dynasty)
China fell apart and into the period of the “warring states” from BCE, although the Zhou had fallen earlier.
China found 3 principal philosophic and cultural responses to this period of disorder.
Legalism, Confucianism, Daoism

5. LEGALISM Legalism: a response to chaos
Han Fei was a leading Legalist Philosopher
Legalist Principles: strict rules, clearly defined and strictly enforced are the answer to disorder
A pessimistic view of human nature: men are bad and only act for themselves. Only the state can force men to act in their own long term interest.
Felt that only farmers and soldiers performed essential functions in society. Elevated military at expense of nobility and peasants at the expense of landlords and merchants.
Legalist views inspired the Qin dynasty reunification of China

6. Kung-fu-tze

7. CONFUCIANISM Confucius (551-479BCE) educated and ambitious aristocrat
Spent much of his life looking for a political position from which to put his ideas into practice. This did not occur during his life.
Confucius’ ideas had enormous impact on China and the rest of East Asia
His teachings were collected by his students as the “Analects”
Elaborations and commentary were added by later scholars, enriching and developing Confucianism as a total philosophy

8. Confucianism continued
Principles of Confucian thought:
The moral example of superiors is the answer to disorder
a. society consists of unequal relationships
b. duty of the superior member to be sincere and benevolent
c. this will inspire deference and obedience from the inferior member

9. Confucian Principles continued
Humans have capacity for improvement and education is the key
a. advocated a liberal arts education to include all who qualified
b. to apply liberal arts education to government issues
c. need for ritual and ceremonies to enhance adherence to ideals
After Legalism lost its “magic” due to the Qin emperor, Confucianism became the official ideology of the Chinese state and would remain so for 2000 years

10. Confucian Focus and Virtues
Focus on the family as a model for political life with:
a. emphasis on filial piety (respect for elders)
b. defined role for women as being humble and serving their husbands (sisters for brothers as well)
c. Some women were able to do more: the author Ban Zhao c. 100CE wrote “Lessons for Women” which focused on how women are to achieve Confucian ideals

11. Confucian Focus and Ideals
Virtues and Ideals for Men
Focused on the paired concepts of wen and wu
a. wen- refined qualities of rational behavior, scholarship, and literary and artistic abilities
b. wu- physical and martial arts achievements
Confucians considered “wen” superior to “wu”

12. Confucian Focus and Ideals
Emphasized the great importance of history
a. the past was a “golden age” and the ideal good society took its lessons from this
b. “superior men” had outstanding moral character and intellect; they were not born superior
c. good government would keep taxes low, give justice, and provide for the people’s material needs through the Emperor

13. Non Religious Confucianism was a secular (non religious) philosophy
Emphasis was practical and to be used to better this world
While it did not deny the existence of the gods and spirits, educated people would not center life around them
Like Daoism, Confucianism would later take on some characteristics of a religion. However, Confucius was never taken to be a god nor did he ever express any desire to found a religion.

14. LAOZI
photobucket.com/images/laozi#!

15. The Daoist Answer
Associated with Laozi c. 550 BCE (who may not be real) who supposedly was the author of its main thoughts collected in the “Daodejing” or “The Way and its Power”
Daoism was in many ways the opposite of Confucianism
a. education and improvement of self was artificial and useless
b. urged withdrawal from involvement with everyday world into one of contemplation of nature

16. Daosist Ideals and Beliefs
Central concept: dao or the way of nature and understanding what underlies all natural phenomena (associated with yin and yang)
Invited disengagement from public life
Simple self sufficient living
Abandonment of education and active improvement in life
Kept the family central to society
Focused on complementing and balancing life between genders rather than men being superior

17. Daoism
Many elite Chinese practiced both Confucianism and Daoism as complementary disciplines
Daoism also entered into popular Chinese folk religions when people sought to use the power of the way for practical purposes such as magic and eternal life
Daoist religion provided the incentive for the “Yellow Turban” revolt in the late second century CE.

18. www.freethoughtpedia.com BRAHMAN

19. Indian Cultural Development
Different from China
Upper classes very involved with the divine and spiritual matters
Hinduism (India’s religious tradition) had no historical founder
Developed with India’s civilization
Spread into SouthEast Asia but remained associated with India
There is no single Hindu tradition- Hinduism is a term created by outsiders to explain a large range of ideas

20. Indian Religious Roots, Beliefs, and Practice
Used widely recognized sacred books that provided some common features to the diverse Indian culture and religion
Vedas-books of prayer, poems, rituals compiled by the Brahmins (priests’ caste) usually oral. Not written down until 600 BCE
Brahmins played a large ritual role which gave them power and wealth
Patriarchal but less strict in matters of class than later

21. Indian Beliefs The development of the Upanishads:
Around 600BCE- looked into inner meaning of Vedas and rituals
Created the idea of BRAHMAN (the World Soul) as the ultimate truth and reality
The following ideas were developed as well: humans have souls (atmans) that are part of BRAHMAN; the goal of life is to have moksha or union with BRAHMAN; and it takes many life times to achieve this so there is reincarnation (samsara) on the wheel of life; the idea of karma (fate) governed reincarnation

22. Social effects of Indian Religious Tenets
Hinduism legitimated (gave value to) India’s gender and social system
Women were forbidden to learn the sacred books and to participate in rituals in public
Law of Manu-defined women as subordinate to men in every phase of life
Many Hindu deities (gods) were female despite the lower status of women
Hinduism acknowledge several paths to achieving moksha with BRAHMAN.
These ideas were spread by wandering priests and holy men

23. The Buddha
Roundtableindia.co.i

24. The Rise of Buddhism
Buddhism developed at the same time and along side of Hinduism
Founder- Siddhartha Gautama 6th century BCE
Spiritual journey led to his “enlightenment” at age 35. Enlightenment means insight or revelation in this context
His followers saw him as Buddha or the “enlightened one”

25. Buddhist Teachings Central to Buddhism is that life is suffering
Sorrow and suffering are caused by our craving life and individual happiness
The cure for suffering is to live a modest and moral life and to meditate
The goal is to achieve enlightenment and nirvana (the extinguishing of the individual and dispersal into the universe)

26. Buddhist Teachings
Many Hindu principles and practices are present in Buddhism such as
Life is an illusion
Karma and samsara
Elimination of individual desire and existence
Meditation
Desire for release from the cycle of rebirth

27. Buddhist Teachings But many Buddhist beliefs challenged Hinduism
Rejected the religious authority of the Brahmins
Did not put much reliance on abstract speculation about things
Buddhism believed individuals need to take responsibility for their own spiritual development
Challenged the caste system

28. Buddhist Practice Both men and women could become teachers of Buddhism
Groups of monks and nuns developed
Nuns were subordinate to monks as women were viewed as an obstacle to male enlightenment
Appealed to lower caste members and women throughout India
Taught beliefs in local languages not the religious language of Hinduism
Linked itself to local traditions and places. Built stupas or monuments to the Buddha in many locales

29. Buddhism
Early Buddhism received support from one of the few Indian emperors-Ashoka
Sponsored missionary work to spread Buddhism
Buddhism eventually split into two sects: Theravada-early Buddhism in which Buddha is not a god, and Mahayana in which Buddha is a god. The Mahayana became the most popular form of Buddhism and essentially was the one that became spread over much of Asia

30. Consolidation of Religious Belief in India
By CE Buddhism had essentially been re-incorporated into Hinduism in India (though not elsewhere)
As Buddhism spread through Asia it became less Indian whereas Buddhists in India found common ground with Hindus
More popular type of Hinduism developed; one which was less concerned with castes and status and more focused on rituals and actions to provide an end to samsara. The BHAKTI worship movement began c1000 CE

31. Towards Monotheism: The search for the one god
The idea of only one supreme god was a radical one that developed during the classic period in the Middle East. This idea matured within the Zoroastrian and Jewish communities in these areas becoming (with much addition) the basis for Christianity and Islam Some of the ideas presented here may not fit with what you have been told or believe. Just be open to the idea that people seldom agree on these matters and this is normal. Remember we are studying religion in history not the history of religion. Nor are we going to debate the truths of any religions. That is not what historians do.

32. AHURA MAZDA
Historyforkids.org

33. REPRESENTAION OF YHWH c.10TH CENTURY BCE
YHWH cosmiccogitation.blogspot.com

34. Zoroastrianism
Persian prophet Zarathustra traditional founder of religion c.600BCE
State supported during Achaemenid Dynasty of Persia to 330BCE
Single god Ahura Mazda is source of truth, light, goodness
Cosmic struggle with Angra Mainyu force of evil and darkness
Ahura Mazda will win helped by a savior after which there will be a judgment day with restoration of the world to purity and peace
Free will: individual must choose good or evil. God cannot force or choose for the individual

35. Zoroastrianism Did not spread much outside of Persia
Alexander and the Greek Kingdoms that followed condemned it as foolish
Later 250BCE to 651CE flourished in the Parthian and Sassanian Empires where Persia had been
Islam essentially replace it in Persia although a few fled to India establishing a community known as Parsis (Persians) which exists to our time

36. Influences on Judaism (and Christianity and Islam)
Jews in the Persian Empire were influenced by some Zoroastrian ideas and incorporated some into rituals as well as religious books
Idea of God v. Satan
Idea of a last judgment and bodily resurrection (only in specific Jewish sects such as Pharisees)
Belief in the final defeat of evil with the help of a messiah
Remaking of the world at the end of time (again only some specific Jewish sects of the classic era)

37. Judaism
Magen David

38. Development of Judaism
From and among “Hebrews” Semitic Tribes of the Arabian Peninsula
Early tradition of migration to Palestine by Abraham
Early tradition of enslavement in Egypt and escape to Israel with Moses
Establishment of state of Israel c.1000BCE
Overthrown by Babylon c587 BCE many elites taken into exile to Babylon itself. Israelites retained identity in Mesopotamia. Some returned to Judah and restored religion (Became known as Jews from Judah son of Israel)

39. Y*hw*h Over time
A distinctive conception of god and god’s powers and character
Yhwh demanded exclusive loyalty- there are no other gods
Relationship with the Jewish people is in the style of a contract(covenant)
Though Yhwh is transcendent and majestic-he does speak with humans, in fact, wants nothing more than to do so
Throughout Jewish holy texts Yhwh transitions from a god of war to a god of compassion and social justice
Foundation for Christian and Islamic concepts of the one god
The name YHWH was never spoken: Adonai and Elohim are used as names for god.

40. The Search for Rational Order: Greece

41. Classical Greek Philosophic Understandings
Classical Greece did not create an enduring religious tradition.
Polytheism, cults, and ritual remained until the Christian Era
Greek intellectuals began to question and abandon this mythological framework. Asked “Can humans understand the world by reason?”
Greek science and philosophy was to develop from this simple questioning of received wisdom.
Received wisdom-that which everyone knows to be true without ever asking why it is true.

42. The Parthenon
(at the Acropolis of Athens)

43. Greek “New” Reasoning
The world is a physically real place governed by natural laws
Humans can work out and understand those laws using reason
Humans can work out an ethical system for living life using natural laws
Greek questioning may have been due to the incoherence of their religious myths and the diversity of them. In addition, as civilizations become older and more secure, people have more time to think. Another possible cause would be the role that the development of law in Greece played

44. Greek Philosophy: When, Where, Why?
Was most active from BCE during the city state period in Greece
One key element was how questions were asked using argument, logic, and questioning of “known” facts
Socrates ( BCE) of Athens
Constantly questioned the assumption of others
Really irritated a lot of people with this
Condemned to death for teaching young men to think

45. Greek Philosophy: When, Where, Why?
The application of questioning and reason resulted in many “new” ideas such as:
Creating medicine as a science and not a ritual
The development of “History” as a means to understand the actions of people in the past. Two men really created history as we know it:
Herodotus- History of the Persian Wars
Thucydides-History of the Peloponesian War and a History of Athens

46. Greek Philosophy: Who?
Plato- considered one of the primary thinkers in the history of western culture. Outlined the use of logic and rhetoric in the pursuit of knowledge. Has the idea that a perfect reality exists outside of our ability to see it or understand except dimly. Also wrote “The Republic” a dialogue about how to achieve the best government possible.
Aristotle-teacher of Alexander the Great. Considered the first scientist because he told his students to examine evidence before coming to a conclusion. While not an experimentalist, Aristotle became the symbol of scientific thinking until the Scientific Revolution.
Plato’s and Aristotle’s ideas were not in sympathy. Plato dominated philosophy in the West until the 1200’sCE when Aristotle gained the upper hand. Today most philosophers lean towards Plato and most scientists lean towards Aristotle.

47. Greek Science: Euclid developed several forms of Geometry
Ptolemy developed astronomy and created a model of the universe that remained the standard until Copernicus and Galileo
Erastosthenes measured the circumference of the Earth and figured out the latitude and longitude of many places around the Mediterranean.
Other Greeks developed steam engines, levers, cranes, and tools that were new technology for their times. While some became commonplace, others, such as the steam engine, failed to take off.

48. The Spread of Greek Knowledge
While many people (in fact most people) continued to follow traditional ways of thinking and doing things (as is true today), the new Greek Rationalism did spread throughout the known Western world.
Aided by the advance of Alexander’s empire and the Roman Empire
Many Platonic concepts were worked into Christianity as it spread in the early centuries of this era.
Classic Greek books on these subjects were preserved in out of the way places and resurfaced in Europe in the period