Chapter 5

-China, India, the Middle East, and Greece's emerged cultural tradition have blended in various forms into the 21st century, and have shaped the values and perceptions most people who have lived on the planet the past 2,500 years.

China- Confucianism
India- Hinduism (Upanishads), Siddhartha Guatama (Buddha)- Buddhism
Middle East- Zoroastrianism, Persian prophet Zarathustra
Judasim
Greece- humanistic approach. Aristotle, Socrates, Plato

China Search for Order
-One answer to the problem was "Legalism"
rules, laws, and a system of rewards and punishments
Legalist entertained a more pessimistic view of human nature. People are stupid and shortsighted. The state ad rulers had to intervene on the behalf of their life because they couldn't handle maintaining their own way of life.
Confucius thought he had found the answer to China's social disorder.
Not laws and punishments, but the moral example of superiors was the Confucian key to a restored social harmony.
This type of teaching was implemented when people would take official positions in the government.

Daoist Answer:
-Withdrawal from the world into the nature and encouraged random, spontaneous, individualistic behavior.
simple living, limited government, abandonment of education, self sufficient communities, and efforts of self improvement.

Buddhism: Siddhartha Guatama
"I teach but one thing," said the Buddha, "suffering and the end of suffering."
Follow the eightfold path and you can reach enlightenment and nirvana. A state where individual identity is eradicated along with greed, hatred, and delusion. Then suffering has ended, the enlightened person can experience an overwhelming sense of serenity and peace. He would have compassion and love for all beings.

Zoroastrianism:
Ahura Mazda- a single unique God, a source of all truth, goodness, and light.
Engaged in cosmic struggles of good and evil.

Judaism:
One God named Yahweh

Greek Philosophy: