Current World Affairs

1. Current World Affairs MahapanayaVidayalai An Affiliated Institute of MCU Semester I 2011 Part II

2. Ancient (600 BC to 400 CE) • Ancient philosophy is the philosophy of the Greece –roman. Three periods • Pre-Socratic period: Rejected traditional mythological explanations and asked questions about "the essence of things":From where does everything come? From what is everything created? • How do we explain the plurality of things found in nature? How might we describe nature mathematically? • Plato and Aristotle Period: Socrates; (470-399): explained about laws, customs and religions, Plato 437-347): Law and democracy, Aristotle (384-322): Logic • Post Aristotelian: Soul development aspect, Separation of different subjects • Characteristics: Fundamental principles of universe, existence of gods, the good life, political systems, theory of logic

3. Ancient (600 BC to 400 CE)…. Hinduism (4000 to 2500 BC) “Sanatan dharma” (Eternal law), oldest religion, No founder Characteristics: dharma (duty), Samshara (life cycle), Karma (Action), Mokshaya (nirvana), various yogas(paths) Nine Beliefs of Hinduism  Hindus believe in the divinity of the Vedas, Hindus believe in a one,.  Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.  Hindus believe in karma, Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, Hindus believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds Hindus believe that a spiritually awakened master, or sat guru, Hindus believe that all life is sacred, Hindus believe that no particular religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others,

4. Ancient (600 BC to 400 CE)…. • Judaism (2000 BC) • Faith of all Jews, Christianity, Islam and Bahai’s • God of the ancient Israelites • Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, King David, King Solomon • Once creator and absolute ruler of the universe • God monitors people and rewards good deeds and punishes evil • Zoroastrianism (1000 BC) • It was founded by Zarathushtra in Persia which followed an aboriginal polytheistic religion at the time. • One god, dualism, good and evil, Ahura Mazda and AngraMainyu • Three-fold paths “Good thoughts, good words and good deeds”.

5. Ancient (600 BC to 400 CE)…. Buddhism (560-490 BC) • Buddhism developed out of the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, reached enlightenment and assumed the title Buddha. • 'The Middle Way' as the path to enlightenment • Buddhists believe in reincarnation and that one must go through cycles of birth, life, and death. After many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana. • Shinto (500 BC) • Shinto is an ancient Japanese religion, closely tied to nature, which recognizes the existence of various "Kami", nature dieties. • Morality is based upon that which is of benefit to the group. • There are "Four Affirmations" in Shinto: Tradition and family, Love of nature, Physical cleanliness, "Matsuri": festival which honors the spirits.

6. Ancient (600 BC to 400 CE)…. Jainism (420 BC) • The founder of the Jain community was Vardhamana, the last Jina in a series of 24 who lived in East India. He attained enlightenment after 13 years of deprivation and committed the act of salekhana, fasting to death, in 420 BCE. • Jainism has many similarities to Hinduism and Buddhism which developed in the same part of the world. • They believe in karma and reincarnation as do Hindus but they believe that enlightenment and liberation from this cycle can only be achieved through asceticism. They also practice ahimsa, non-violence, because any act of violence against a living thing creates negative karma which will adversely affect one's next life. Taoism (440 BC) • Taoism was founded by Lao-Tse, a contemporary of Confucius in China. • describe the nature of life, the way to peace • Yin (dark side) and Yang (light side) symbolize pairs of opposites which are seen through the universe, such as good and evil, light and dark, male and female. • The impact of human civilization upsets the balance of Yin and Yang. Taoists believe that people are by nature, good, and that one should be kind to others simply because such treatment will probably be reciprocated.

7. Ancient (600 BC to 400 CE)…. Christianity (CE) Christianity started out as a breakaway sect of Judaism nearly 2000 years ago. Jesus, the son the Virgin Mary, is a son of God. Humanity principles: love thy neighbor, turn the other cheek etc Believe in heaven and hell concept Multiple types of Christianity

8. Medieval (400-1350 CE) Medieval philosophy is the philosophy of Western Europe and the Middle East Extending from the Christianization of the Roman Empire until the Renaissance Rediscovery of classical Greek and address theological problems Integrate the widespread sacred doctrines Abrahamic religion (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) Characteristics: acceptance of Catholic orthodoxy, reorganization of Aristotle and Plato theory, Tendency of dispute on everything, Topics: Theology, Metaphysics, Natural , Mind, Ethics etc

9. Medieval (400-1350 CE) Islam (622 CE) • Islam was founded by Muhammad the Prophet, in Makkah • Muslim believe that it is the same faith taught by the prophets, Abraham, David, Moses and Jesus. The role of Muhammad as the last prophet was to formalize and clarify the faith and purify it by removing ideas which were added in error. • The two sacred texts of Islam are the Qur'an, which are the words of Allah 'the One True God' as given to Muhammad, and the Hadith, which is a collection of Muhammad's sayings. • Muslims follow a strict monotheism with one creator who is just, omnipotent and merciful. • The duties of all Muslims are known as the Five Pillars of Islam and are: Recite the shahadah at least once., Perform the salat (prayer) 5 times a day while facing the Kaaba in Makkah.,Donate regularly to charity via the zakat, a 2.5% charity tax, and through additional donations to the needy.,Fast during the month of Ramadan, the month that Muhammad received the Qur'an from Allah..Make pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in life, if economically and physically possible.

10. Renaissance Period (1350-1600) Renaissance Period (1350-1600) "Renaissance" literally means "rebirth." It refers especially to the rebirth of learning that began in Italy in the fourteenth century, spread to the north, including England, by the sixteenth century, and ended in the north in the mid-seventeenth century (earlier in Italy). During this period, there was an enormous renewal of interest in and study of classical antiquity. It is also known as rebirth of knowledge. Yet the Renaissance was more than a "rebirth." It was also an age of new discoveries, both geographical (exploration of the New World) and intellectual. Both kinds of discovery resulted in changes of tremendous import for Western civilization.

11. Renaissance Period (1350-1600) • In science, for example, Copernicus (1473-1543) attempted to prove that the sun rather than the earth was at the center of the planetary system, thus radically altering the cosmic world view that had dominated antiquity and the Middle Ages. • In religion, Martin Luther (1483-1546) challenged and ultimately caused the division of one of the major institutions that had united Europe throughout the Middle Ages--the Church. • In literature, William Shakespeare rediscovered classic drama and wrote famous plays. In art Michelangelo, Lenordo De Vinic contributed a lot. • Christoper Columbus and VackoDegamadisocved America and India. • Secular music is non-religious music and it was becoming more popular during this time.  There was a rise in instrumental music and dance music, too.      • The printing press was invented during the Renaissance.  Some people consider the printing press to be the most important contribution to civilization in the last one thousand years!  • Life in the Renaissance Period: Children, toys, education, schools and universities, jobs, occupations, money, food and drink, fashion, Music and dance, city

13. Renaissance Period (1350-1600) Sikhism (1500 CE) The Sikh faith was founded by Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji , After his death a series of nine Gurus (regarded as reincarnations of Guru Nanak) led the movement until 1708. This text, the Shri Guru Granth Sahib, was compiled by the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh. It consists of hymns and writings of the first 10 Gurus, along with texts from different Muslim and Hindu saints. The holy text is considered the 11th and final Guru. Sikhs believe in a single formless God with many names, who can be known through meditation. Sikhs pray many times each day and are prohibited from worshipping idols or icons. They believe in samsara, karma, and reincarnation as Hindus do but reject the caste system. They believe that everyone has equal status in the eyes of God.

14. Early Modern Period (1600-1800) • Chronologically, the early modern era of western philosophy is usually identified with the 17th and 18th centuries, with the 18th century often being referred to as theEnlightenment. • Modern philosophy is distinguished from its predecessors by its increasing independence from traditional authorities such as the Church, academia, and Aristotelianism and a new focus on the foundations of knowledge and metaphysical system-building;and the emergence of modern physics out of natural philosophy. • Industrial revolution, French Revolution, the development of science, technologies progress, Dominance of economic theory of Mercantilism, Protestant Reformation, • European contact with the Americans, Indian, China, Japan and Southeast Asia.

15. Early Modern Period (1600-1800) Enlightenment It brought a new vision of future and France was the central point of enlightenment period. Development Adam Smith’s classical economy, Newton supplied mathematical evidence for the development. Concern of human freedom. Solar Orbits was accurately calculated.  The Age of Enlightenment refers to the 18th century in European philosophy, and is often thought of as part of a larger period which includes the Age of Reason.

16. Modern Period (1800-1945) • Increasing role of science and technology • Mass literacy • Spread of social movement • Institution of representative democracy • Individualism • Industrialization • Urbanization • From industrialization, animal power is replaced by steam engine and then by the internal combustion engine; cast iron is replaced by steel; oil lamps are replaced by electric lights; and the assembly line permits mass production • In science, Charles Darwin explains evolution in terms of natural selection, James Clerk Maxwell formulates the laws of electricity, Wilhelm Wundt founds experimental psychology. • In 1903 Henry Ford markets the model T. Albert Einstein proves the atomic theory of matter; proposes the theory of relativity; and makes a pioneer contribution to quantum physics.

17. Post Modern Period (1945) 1945+.  The end of WWII and the beginning of "post-modernism". War-time innovations lead to the mass production of antibiotics, the splitting of the atom, and the invention of plastic, the jet airplane, the intercontinental missile and space rocket, and the computer. Soon Crick & Watson unravel the structure of DNA, and the birth control pill heralds one step towards women's liberation. Television promotes consumerism, cynicism, and cosmopolitanism. Tourism flourishes (for the first time in history, the average citizen repeatedly makes recreational journeys of hundreds of miles each). The Western powers cede their colonies nominal autonomy, but retain economic control. Transnational corporations and the global economy reduce the importance of the nation-state.