Exam 10: Non-Western Philosophy

Traditional beliefs in Africa tend to favor a highly individualistic way of life,free of the limits of tribalism.

The Mayan and Aztec tradition of human sacrifice is probably linked to their beliefs that blood was the fundamental life force.

Hinduism is

The Confucian "attunement of names" means that

According to Confucius,the virtue of practicing rituals is important because

The aim of this chapter has been to make us more aware "of the peculiarities and limitations of our own ways of thinking and,especially,of how that thinking has been shaped and perhaps even distorted by the particular features of our tradition".These peculiarities and limitations are traced back to differences in culture,race and ethnicity.Write an essay looking at how the non-dominant traditions explored in this chapter challenge three or more of these "limited" assumptions made by Western philosophers regarding two or more of the big questions addressed in this text,including the meaning of life,the Good Life,the nature of God,reality,self and freedom. Be specific: how do the non-dominant traditions explored in this chapter challenge assumptions that philosophers have made regarding these questions? Could the western philosopher(s)answer any of these challenges,either by defending his assumptions,or by revising them,in light of the non-Western views developed in this chapter? That is,is it possible to revise Western philosophy to eliminate its cultural,racial and ethnic biases?How?Again,be specific.

People in Mexico and central South America shared the belief that time and reality had three levels:

Western philosophers have tended to dismiss

By advising Arjuna to approach the battle using karma yoga,Krishna is recommending that Arjuna

According to the Vedas,the self that we recognize within ourselves is ultimately atman,and atman is not separate from Brahman,the fundamental reality.

Confucius' concept of "the attunement of names" implies that using euphemisms like "collateral damage" is an abdication of right behavior.

One's ancestors play a distinctive role in religious traditions in Africa and China and many islands of the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.

Carefully preserved,written documents provide much information on the nature of the beliefs of peoples in North America and in Africa.

Describe the Persian philosopher/theologian Mulla Sadra's understanding of God's relationship to the world.

Indicate three senses in which what is most real and important is best symbolized,for Native Americans,by the circle.

Native Americans tended to view nature as

Explain Confucius' "attunement of names."

The Buddhist doctrine of anatman implies

To act naturally in the Daoist sense requires that you

In Mahayana Buddhism,a Bodhisattva