Religions and Philosophies of the Ancient World

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Religions and Philosophies of the Ancient World

• A Lesson in World Cultures
• By
• Mr. Spivey

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Judaism

• Why Founded?
• Emerged out of Sumerian Monotheism
• Belief in Afterlife?
• Heaven
• Where started?
• Israel

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Judaism

• Basic Beliefs
• Strict following of law that evolved from the Ten
  Commandments.
• Focus on mercy and justice (not Hammurabis eye
  for an eye).
• Covenant is promise not to be broken.
• Ultimate Goal
• Follow law of Moses and God

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Hinduism

• Why Founded?
• Grew out of Ancient Mythology
• Belief in the Afterlife?
• Become one with the universal spirit
• Where started?
• India

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Hinduism

• Basic Beliefs
• Many gods
• Reincarnation based on karma and dharma
• Strict social system
• Very ritualistic
• Ultimate Goal
• End cycle of Reincarnation

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Buddhism

• Why founded?
• Response to Hinduisms strict Caste System.
• Buddha wanted to know why there was suffering in
  the world
• Belief in the Afterlife?
• Reach Nirvana
• Where started?
• India

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Buddhism

• Basic Beliefs
• Does not address the question of God.
• Reincarnation based on karma and dharma
• 8-fold path
• 4 noble truths
• Relaxed social structure
• Ultimate goal?
• End cycle of Reincarnation

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Confucianism

• Why Founded?
• Confucius found many things that dismayed him
  such as greed, insecurity, etc.
• He wanted political and personal change
• Belief in the afterlife?
• None
• Where started?
• China

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Confucianism

• Basic beliefs
• All should be content with their social role.
• Family is central focus, must respect parents,
  elders, etc.
• Must pursue integrity and duty
• Government is role model
• Ultimate Goal?
• Create a good and noble society.

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Daoism

• Why founded?
• Response to Confucianism.
• Did not believe in political activism.
• Belief in the Afterlife?
• None
• Where started?
• China

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Daoism

• Basic beliefs
• Humans are not the center of the Universe
• There is a natural order of things
• People should not be assertive instead they
  should be passive
• Ultimate goal?
• Live like the river

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Legalism

• Why Founded?
• Response to weakening governments.
• Claimed to know how to give leaders power.
• Belief in the Afterlife?
• None
• Where started?
• China

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Legalism

• Basic Beliefs
• Strong government needs strict laws.
• Ignored Confucius idea that government power
  based on moral character of leader.
• Basis of Qin Dynasty torture.
• Ultimate Goal?
• Use law to motivate people

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Todays Assignment

• Prepare an editorial for a newspaper in which you
  discuss the philosophies of Confucianism,
  Legalism, and Daoism. Explain why you think the
  current government of your country should adopt
  one of these philosophies in its system of
  government.
• Scoring guide available on the next slide.

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Editorial Scoring Guide 100 points
possible