Philosophy Develops Alongside World Religions World religions tried to explain the answers to important questions, such as where humans came from, why we are here, what does it mean to be good, and so on. As world religions were emerging, so were other belief systems that tried to answer these questions. However, in contrast to world religions these belief systems focused on investigation, discussion, and rational argument, and tried to base the search for answers more in the human world and less in the supernatural world of gods. These systems developed into what we now call philosophy, the pursuit of knowledge through thought and inquiry based on reasoning, and they were connected to the beginnings of what we now call science. In Greece, for example, people believed in a number of gods, but Greek scholars developed a method of scientific and moral questioning known as natural philosophy. According to natural philosophy, human reason could be effectively used to explain natural, cosmic, and psychological phenomenon. These thinkers saw no contradiction between their efforts to understand the natural world through observation and study and their belief that the gods fundamentally ruled it. In China, the writings of Confucius offered another system of beliefs and guidelines for moral behavior, suggesting that humans had the ability to improve and develop moral behavior on their own. Confucius used his writings to suggest guidelines for good leadership, moral behavior, family relationships, and overall human improvement for the good of the community. Reading adapted from: World History For Us All…and Stearns SUMMARIZATION PRACTICE: Identify and write in your words at least five important points from this reading: 1) 2)
Philosophy Develops Alongside World Religions World religions tried to explain the answers to important questions, such as where humans came from, why we are here, what does it mean to be good, and so on. As world religions were emerging, so were other belief systems that tried to answer these questions. However, in contrast to world religions these belief systems focused on investigation, discussion, and rational argument, and tried to base the search for answers more in the human world and less in the supernatural world of gods. These systems developed into what we now call philosophy, the pursuit of knowledge through thought and inquiry based on reasoning, and they were connected to the beginnings of what we now call science. In Greece, for example, people believed in a number of gods, but Greek scholars developed a method of scientific and moral questioning known as natural philosophy. According to natural philosophy, human reason could be effectively used to explain natural, cosmic, and psychological phenomenon. These thinkers saw no contradiction between their efforts to understand the natural world through observation and study and their belief that the gods fundamentally ruled it. In China, the writings of Confucius offered another system of beliefs and guidelines for moral behavior, suggesting that humans had the ability to improve and develop moral behavior on their own. Confucius used his writings to suggest guidelines for good leadership, moral behavior, family relationships, and overall human improvement for the good of the community. Reading adapted from: World History For Us All…and Stearns SUMMARIZATION PRACTICE: Identify and write in your words at least five important points from this reading: 1) 2)
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