Ch. 5 Question 1
"Religions are fundamentally alike." Does the material in this chapter support or undermine this idea?
I feel that the idea that all religions are fundamentally alike to be true and supported by this chapter. The foundation for all religions is the need individuals have to believe in a higher being. Whether it is just one God or many Gods people are always searching for something to believe in, something that they feel is in control. Judaism believes in the all mighty Yahweh as the sole god who created Earth and all living things, while in Hinduism they have many Gods. The same goes for Christianity and their belief in the one God. In each of these dominant religions their followers believe that their God or Gods are there to help them achieve peace, and guide them to a fulfilled life. Even though Buddhism didn't originally start out with a God figure Buddha eventually became their God essentially because their people needed something greater then themselves to believe in. Another thing that was discussed in this chapter was that in each of these religions the key element that they want their believers to practice is Love. Love of others, love of themselves, and love of the world. None of the original works for any of the religions discussed in this chapter contain any messages of hate, or the need to harm others. They are about harmony and being able to coexist with one another and accept everyone for what they are. Unfortunately as time as gone by these original beliefs have been overshadowed by the negativity that the modern world projects on those that are strong believers in certain religions.
Ch. 6 Question 1
What is the difference between class and caste?
Based on this chapter and how it describes class and caste systems I feel that there is a clear distinction between the two.
Class is a system that exists in every culture whether it is classical or modern. Class systems are based on a persons job and how much money they make. Class systems allow for an individual to move up or down the levels depending on how successful they are in work and education. If someone for instance is in the Classical Chinese culture, you can be born into a poor family, but they allow for you to still become political officials if you are able to pass the proper examinations.
Caste systems are not existent in every culture in fact in modern times caste systems have become very limited around the world, the only caste system I am aware that still exists today is the one in place in India in Hindu run countries and cities. Castes are something that you are born into and it is nearly impossible to move out of your caste system. The only way to move up from a lower caste is by marriage or in reincarnation. The trick to the marriage is that you have to find someone who is willing to marry below their caste level which very seldom happens. With reincarnation you have to live a full life and prove that you are worthy to be reborn into a higher class level.
As you can see there is a very clear distinction between class and caste, and I am thankful to say that I live in a country where caste systems do not exist. That being said I can only hope that class systems in American culture will become less extreme, but I won't hold my breathe for that to happen in my lifetime.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
First Reading Response
What is the significance of the Paleolithic era in world history?
By far the greatest significance of the Paleolithic era is that it accounts for 95% of human existence, which I find completely interesting. If the Paleolithic era accounts for almost all of our time on Earth why is it so many history classes and history texts leave out almost all of the milestones that occurred during this era? Something that I find to be interesting and in my opinion significant is that fact that these nomadic people viewed each other as equals. They believed that both men and woman were important contributors to their survival. Only in times when it was really necessary would someone show authority to help resolves issues within a particular group, but mostly they were able to be successful and productive without the need for an absolute authority figure that we have become so dependent on in modern times.
Something I though I would just add on the topic of the Paleolithic era is that I know have a much greater understanding behind the Paleo Diet that many people today believe is the ideal diet for one to survive on. It is fascinating that it has taken this many years and some of us have come full circle in realizing that we had it right from the start. We were born predators and that is the best diet our bodies know how to handle.
The Agricultural Revolution marked a decisive turning point in human history. What evidence might you offer to support this claim, and how might you argue against it?
Well the key thing that the Agricultural Revolution allowed for was the quick growth in human populations. Because people were no longer dependent on the weather, and migratory patterns of the animals they hunted they were able to provided a sustainable food source for their people. This also allowed for them to start laying down roots and put an end to the necessary nomadic lifestyle all tribes were accustomed to. Another key change that occurred was the beginning of commerce and a more extensive trading alliance that began to form between tribes in close proximity. They would work together to help one another out in the areas they needed help in. For those tribes that only were able to grow food, but didn't have the ability or skills to raise animals, they would trade food for animals so that their people would have a continued well balanced diet and life. I think that this just shows the human nature and understanding that there is a unspoken common bond between all people that even in the beginning of human existence we understood the meaning of helping out our fellow man. This carries true today when people from completely different backgrounds and societies come together to help the greater good of a group of people in need.
Now while there were many positives marked in the Agricultural Revolution, there was a lot of learning that needed to be done especially in respect to living in such close proximity to animals. While this was convenient for nourishment, disease soon became a problem and many of the first people domesticating animals were plagued by new disease. This proves that there is a fine balancing act that occurs when trying to survive and improve your overall living conditions. These issues helped the human species learn about sanitation, and the need to have some barriers between the animals and the people they are being cared by. It is because of what we learned from the Agricultural Revolution that we have such great health standards in respect to food handling and raising animals for your own personal use.
By far the greatest significance of the Paleolithic era is that it accounts for 95% of human existence, which I find completely interesting. If the Paleolithic era accounts for almost all of our time on Earth why is it so many history classes and history texts leave out almost all of the milestones that occurred during this era? Something that I find to be interesting and in my opinion significant is that fact that these nomadic people viewed each other as equals. They believed that both men and woman were important contributors to their survival. Only in times when it was really necessary would someone show authority to help resolves issues within a particular group, but mostly they were able to be successful and productive without the need for an absolute authority figure that we have become so dependent on in modern times.
Something I though I would just add on the topic of the Paleolithic era is that I know have a much greater understanding behind the Paleo Diet that many people today believe is the ideal diet for one to survive on. It is fascinating that it has taken this many years and some of us have come full circle in realizing that we had it right from the start. We were born predators and that is the best diet our bodies know how to handle.
The Agricultural Revolution marked a decisive turning point in human history. What evidence might you offer to support this claim, and how might you argue against it?
Well the key thing that the Agricultural Revolution allowed for was the quick growth in human populations. Because people were no longer dependent on the weather, and migratory patterns of the animals they hunted they were able to provided a sustainable food source for their people. This also allowed for them to start laying down roots and put an end to the necessary nomadic lifestyle all tribes were accustomed to. Another key change that occurred was the beginning of commerce and a more extensive trading alliance that began to form between tribes in close proximity. They would work together to help one another out in the areas they needed help in. For those tribes that only were able to grow food, but didn't have the ability or skills to raise animals, they would trade food for animals so that their people would have a continued well balanced diet and life. I think that this just shows the human nature and understanding that there is a unspoken common bond between all people that even in the beginning of human existence we understood the meaning of helping out our fellow man. This carries true today when people from completely different backgrounds and societies come together to help the greater good of a group of people in need.
Now while there were many positives marked in the Agricultural Revolution, there was a lot of learning that needed to be done especially in respect to living in such close proximity to animals. While this was convenient for nourishment, disease soon became a problem and many of the first people domesticating animals were plagued by new disease. This proves that there is a fine balancing act that occurs when trying to survive and improve your overall living conditions. These issues helped the human species learn about sanitation, and the need to have some barriers between the animals and the people they are being cared by. It is because of what we learned from the Agricultural Revolution that we have such great health standards in respect to food handling and raising animals for your own personal use.
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