In this essay I will argue if Buddhism is a religion, philosophy, or both. The definition of the two terms suggests that Buddhism be a philosophy, not a religion. ... Another element that makes Buddhism a philosophy is that it does not obligate one to have faith or be superstitious. ... Additionally, since the devotion used in Buddhism has no emotional elements, the practice is a philosophy. ... Despite having a few common elements with religion, Buddhism is more of a philosophy. ...

• Word Count: 1254
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

An important philosopher, Nietzsche, born in the middle of the 19th century, brought new ideas and tried to present his philosophy on the "death" of God. ... In conclusion, Nietzsche's philosophy seems to send an atheist message, where the Death of God would be necessary in order for humans to grow and reach the "form" of power, as idealized by Plato. ...

• Word Count: 636
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

China incorporated three ancient philosophies within their lifestyles during the time periods of 600 BCE and 200 BCE. These three philosophies were Legalism, Confucianism and Daoism. Each philosophy had its own way of viewing the nature of human beings, civilization and the world. ... While these three philosophies differed in many aspects, their purpose of life was of the same equivalence. ... Legalism was a Chinese philosophy that emphasized the need for order above all other human apprehensions. ...

• Word Count: 1267
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Aristotle and Niccolo Machiavelli agree that human nature predisposes men to serve their own interests, and that we need government to control our innate desires, and yet the two disagree on the origin of government and its purpose. Aristotle argues that man is political by nature due to speech. Through speech, men develop a common moral determination for what is just and unjust, and naturally form political societies in the acquisition of virtue. Although Aristotle's government operates in the pursuit of human excellence, it is based on an optimistic notion, that men will choose and cont...

• Word Count: 1841
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Each has a very different philosophy on life. ... Secular and Religious Humanists both share the same philosophy and same basic principles; yet differ in their view of whether or not Humanism is a religion . ... Humanism however, is not simply about intellectual issues; it "is a philosophy of compassion. ... The only rules are those that are self-imposed because of personal desires and respect for the ways of others. " Humanism is very much in tune with the democratic Western philosophy. ... As such, with the increased awareness of the existence of humanism and the appealing nat...

• Word Count: 1216
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Some accredit Plato with the invention of philosophy, while A. ... Whitehead concluded, 'The safest general characterisation of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.'2 Here arises the discussion into how extensive this influence has been on religious philosophy. ... These cosmological debates within western religious philosophy have been influenced by the works of Plato. ... This is correspondent with Griffin, Hartshorne and Whitehead's response to the problem of evil under process philosophy. ... The Theory of Forms, which...

• Word Count: 2979
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The underlying philosophy of Jainism is that renunciation of worldly desires and self-conquest leads to perfect wisdom. ... This idea or fundamental view can also be seen in Greek philosophy, particularly with the presocratics in their ideas about the world's origin in its naturalistic form. Although the Greeks were primarily focused on this naturalistic view in terms of their philosophy and politics, the way in which they viewed the fundamental question of the universe and the lack of a primary role for the Gods is similar to that of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. .....

• Word Count: 774
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Although Marx shared Hegel's belief in dialectical structure and historical inevitability, he held that the foundations of reality lay in the material base of economics rather than in the abstract thought of idealistic philosophy. ... In contrast, Kierkegaard turned his attention to Hegel's system of philosophy which sought to explain all phenomena and philosophy, including the religious. ... To Kierkegaard, it was arrogant to develop a philosophy from a detached standpoint, as if a philosopher stood outside of the system that he created. ... Despite the acknowledged differences, the...

• Word Count: 1488
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Followers practicing religious traditions follow in accordance with the scriptures to be practicing in the right path or if they follow a path that is outside of what is written of the word to be, then they are on the wrong path[ CITATION Fie13 l 1033 ].Christianity originated in Roman occupied Jerusalem; however, was not all compiled of Jewish beliefs, but did practice traditional philosophies that are distinct from the Classical Greek, which was known to be more dominant during the Roman Empire time. ... Greek philosophy was the beginning of the influence to the Western philosophical religio...

• Word Count: 877
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The philosophies of Puritanism, the Great Awakening, and the Enlightenment provide much of the intellectual foundation for the establishment of the United States. ... By viewing life from the three viewpoints of the farmer, seaman, and scholar, one can conclude that their philosophies have contributed a great deal of influence on the intellectual foundations for the establishment of the United States. ...

• Word Count: 768
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Socrates may have posed a threat to traditional values in history, but today his philosophies are practiced throughout the world. ... Although Socrates philosophies do expand cognition and religious concerns in many societies it does not do so in all. ...

• Word Count: 927
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Raphael Hythlodaeus, however, disagrees with More stating that "there's no room at Court for philosophy" (More 63). ... More recognizes the importance of discreetly suggesting new ideas, stating that one should use a "civilized form of philosophy" that appropriately fits in with what is going on at the present time (More 63). ...

• Word Count: 902
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Teaching about religion is strictly an educational attempt to give students direct access to a multitude of philosophies, moral systems, and ritual practices which create the foundation from which students understand the world's cultures. ... Religion was our first attempt at literature, the texts, our first attempt at cosmology, making sense of where we are in the universe, our first attempt at health care, believing in faith healing, our first attempt at philosophy" (Stephens). ...

• Word Count: 839
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The definition of human nature plays a very important role in Thucydides" account of the Peloponnesian War. The investigation of this concept is basic and complex, subjective and objective, and is undertaken by the author in terms of the rise of democracy and the individual's intrinsic need for powe...

• Word Count: 306
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Plato and Hobbes have similar philosophies for which one could compare regarding their theories in "The Republic," and "The Leviathan.... Plato explains in "The Republic" that the guardian is to be a really good and noble guardian of the state who will unite in himself philosophy, spirit, swiftness and strength (Plato, pg. 9). ...

• Word Count: 1234
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Dewey believed that, between these two realms, is a void that must be filled by philosophy. "Philosophy is called upon to be the theory of practice, though ideas sufficiently definite to be operative in experimental endeavor." ... From this primitive force rise conspicuous cultural institutions that we mistakenly perceive as independent, e.g., government, the arts, philosophy, and religion. ...

• Word Count: 2019
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Islamic Fundamentalism vs. Fascism This is the age of fear, inequality and extreme forms of government. The 20th century has seen the rise and fall of totalitarian governments and the terror and loss of human lives as a result. Today in the West, there is a new kind of terror - Islamic Fundament...

• Word Count: 619
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Regardless of the agreed upon definition of time, the philosophy involved in the comprehension of time truly does weigh heavily on the human psyche. ... It is this view that ties religious philosophies to those of time. ...

• Word Count: 1525
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

According to Bredeson (2011), utilitarianism is a philosophical theory that was developed by Stuart John Mill. The theory is based on normative ethics by arguing that societal utility can be maximized by the moral actions that people undertake. Societal utility is defined as those components that pr...

• Word Count: 689
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Assignment  Cite several fundamental differences between Puritan thinking and deist thinking. Analyze specific literary works that illustrate these differences. Response Puritan thinking and Deist thinking are two discrete but overlapping lines of belief that share principle differences. These f...

• Word Count: 850
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Beginning in the seventeenth century, there were many attempts to create unified and stable societies. One of these attempts was made by the Puritans, who had a strong desire to create a model society based on their beliefs. Whether or not the Puritans were successful in their quest for what they be...

• Word Count: 670
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In my essay I will critically examine the two theories' that examine the relationship between morality and religion. The two theories are The Divine Command Theory and The Natural Law Theory. I will explain each theory and how each one examines the relationship between morality and religion and eval...

• Word Count: 850
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The most famous quote from the work of Karl Marx (and one of the most controversial statements in all of philosophy) is his frank assertion that religion "is the opium of the people" (141)*. ... From this primal force rise conspicuous cultural institutions, which we mistakenly perceive as independent, e.g., government, the arts, philosophy, and religion. ...

• Word Count: 2462
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Here there are some essential concepts discernable in the philosophy of the male saint, with respect to gender, as well. ... " - Dasimayya The composition, like that of Basavanna's as well upholds the philosophy of transcendence of social constructs such as that of gender, to finally unite with the higher being, the object of love and worship, the God. ...

• Word Count: 2258
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In "Democracy Matters: Winning The Fight Against Imperialism", Cornell West makes a compelling argument as to how the American political system has lost its integrity and individualism in an effort to promote its open market and driven economy. Cornell West effectively argues that the Constantinian ...

• Word Count: 1047
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate