Deck 4: E: Culture and Religion in Eurasianorth Africa 500

Question 1

Comparative Analysis: Compare and contrast Greek rationalism with the Chinese philosophies that emerged in the warring states period.

Answer 1

•A discussion of Legalism,Confucianism,and Greek rationalism.
•A recognition that Legalism and Confucianism were both strongly focused on government,while government was only a minor issue for the Greek philosophers.
•A recognition that both Greek thought and the Chinese systems reached most spheres of human existence.
•A comparison of the leading Greek and Chinese thinkers.
A really good answer would take issue with the fact that Daoism also emerged in China at roughly the same time,as did a number of Greek mystery religions,and would consider their role as reactions to excessive rationalism.

Question 2

Personal Reflection: Excluding Christianity,which of the belief systems that emerged between 500 B.C.E.and 500 C.E.most appeals to you? Why?

Answer 2

A strong answer would include several of the key issues of the religious/cultural systems addressed in this chapter,such as focus on personal salvation,compassion,working for the greater good of society,and making sense of the universe.

Question 3

Historical Analysis: Could Zoroastrianism have become a world religion?

Answer 3

•A list of the main features of Zoroastrianism.
•Acknowledgment of Zoroastrian influences on Christianity and Islam,which did become world religions.
A student who does some research might come up with two very popular offshoots of Zoroastrianism that did have a chance at becoming world religions-the cult of Mithra and Manichaeism.
A really strong essay might consider the role of ethnic-based religion-a religion of a particular people that does not seek to become a world religion.

Question 4

Comparative Analysis: Could Buddhism have developed in the West? Why or why not?