Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, And Platonism - 1045 Words

Essay One Brian Munoz Philosophy 10/23/15 What Are We - What are we? In this essay, I’ll be comparing and contrasting the four views of human nature that we have studied so far – Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Platonism – critically examining their similarities and differences. Also, I’ll be explaining which one I think provides the most plausible understanding of what we are. First, I will introduce each of the four views of human nature by defining them. Then, I will elaborate and thoroughly explain what each one claims that we are. Confucianism is a system of philosophical and ethical-sociopolitical teachings sometimes described as a religion. Confucianism developed during the Spring and Autumn Period from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE), who considered himself a retransmitter of Zhou values. As Jeffrey Richey stated in his overview, â€Å"The purpose of existence is to reach one s highest potential as a human being† (Richey 1). Through a rigorous process of self-cultivation that lasts a lifetime, one may eventually become a perfected person. The relentless quest for virtue begins with the most basic human activities, such as mindful direction of one s sight, hearing, speech, and action. Hinduism is the dominant religion, or way of life, in South Asia, most notably in India and Nepal. Although Hinduism contains a broad range of philosophies, it is a family of linked religious cultures bound by shared concepts, recognizable rituals,Show MoreRelatedPhl/215 Philosophy Matrix988 Words   |  4 Pageswhat we know? | Metaphysics | The study of being: The nature of being and what characteristics make up being | Plato developed the theory of forms and introduced skepticism about reality.Aristotle coined the word metaphysics.Augustine reconciled Platonism with Christianity.Aquinas reconciled Aristotle with Christianity.The Scientific RevolutionIntelligent design versus evolution | NeoplatonismDualismMaterialismIdealism | PythagorasParmenidesHeraclitusZenoEmpedoclesAnaxagorasPlatoAristotlePlotinusAugustineHypatiaAquinasAnselmJulianRead Morehistory of philosophy5031 Words   |  21 Pagesmiddle of the 14th century. Western medieval philosophy was primarily concerned with implementing the Christian faith with philosophical reason, that is, baptizing reason. Early medieval philosophy was influenced by the likes of  Stoicism,  neo-Platonism, but, above all, the philosophy of  Plato  himself. The prominent figure of this period was St. Augustine who adopted Platos thought and Christianized it in the 4th century and whose influence dominated medieval philosophy perhaps up to end of the