1. Eurasian Cultural Traditions
World Religions and Beliefs- 500 B.C.E C.E.

2. Confucianism Kong Fuzi (Confucius)- Aristocrat, educated.
The Analects turned into Confucianism.
Moral examples from superiors.
Sincerity, benevolence, and genuine concern to others then the inferiors would follow.
Ren- Human heartedness, benevolence, goodness, nobility of heart = tranquil society.
Emphasis on education, broad liberal arts education: language, literature, history, philosophy, and ethics.
Rituals and ceremonies
Filial Piety- Honoring one’s ancestors and parents.

3. Daoism Laozi- sixth- century B.C.E archivist.
Urges withdrawal into the world of nature and encouraged behavior that was spontaneous, individualistic, and natural.
Nature and unfolding patterns.
Dao- The way of nature
Withdraw from the world of political and social activism.
Disengage form the public life and align with the way of nature.
Simplicity in living, small self-sufficient communities, limited government, and the abandonment of education and active efforts of self-improving.

4. Hinduism
Vast diversity of gods, spirits, beliefs, practices rituals, and philosophies.
No historical founder.
South Asian Peninsula
Vedas- collections of poems, hymns, prayers, and rituals. Written in Sanskrit around 600 B.C.E, compiled by priests called Brahmins.
Upanishads- sacred texts written around 800 and 400 B.C.E. Provided mystical and highly philosophical works that sought to probe the inner meaning of the sacrifices prescribed in the Vedas.

5. Upanishads Ritual gave way to introspective thinking:
Brahman- The World Soul, the final and ultimate reality.
Life is an illusion.
Atman- Human soul.
Beyond wealth and possession you strive to be one with Brahman. The end to our illusory perception.
Moksha- Liberation, becoming one with Brahman was liberating.
Samsara- Rebirth/ Reincarnation
Human souls migrated from body to body over many lifetimesm depending on one’s actions.
Karma- Pure actions, appropriate to one’s station in life resulted in rebirth in a higher social position or caste.
BIRTH IN HIGHER CASTE was evidence of “good karma,” based on actions from your previous life.
How does one achieve liberation?

6. Buddhism Founder- Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha, the Enlighten One).
Suffering and sorrow is the central and universal feature of human life. It is caused by desire.
Cure to this disease lay in living a modest and moral life and medication. Nirvana (Enlightenment)
Buddha’s teachings reflected Hindu traditions.
Rejected the religious authority of the Brahmins
Individuals must take responsibility for their own spiritual development with no help from human authorities or supernatural beings.
Challenged the inequalities of a Hindu-based caste system.

7. Zoroastrianism Middle East, Monotheistic
Prophet Zarathustra, seventh or sixth century B.C.E.
State support during the Achaemenid dynasty ( B.C.E.)
Ahura Mazda, ruled the world and was the source of all truth, light, and goodness.
Ahura Mazda in constant struggle with Angra Mainyu (good versus evil).
At judgment day those who sided with Ahura Mazda would be granted eternal life in Paradise. Those who sided with evil would be subjected to eternal punishment.

8. Judaism
Middle East, born from the Hebrews, traditions recorded in the Old Testament.
Yahweh asked for devotion and obedience and in return would consider them his chosen people.
He was seen as lofty, transcendent deity of utter holiness and purity.

9. Greek Rationalism
Greek intellectuals, the world was a physical reality governed by natural laws, and to assert that human rationality could both understand these laws and work out a system of moral and ethical life.
Emerged between B.C.E.
Emphasized argument, logic, and the relentless questioning of received wisdom; confidence in human reason; enthusiasm of puzzling out the world without much reference of the gods.
Socrates
Rational and nonreligious explanation for the material world.