PHL 220 ESSAY QUESTIONS Write an essay in response to one question from each of the two sets of questions below, making a total of two essays. Each essay should be around three pages of double-spaced typewritten text. Your essays should be written as clearly as possible, with careful attention paid to precision of concept and especially of definition. If you borrow ideas, please cite your source. Please do not slide exams under office doors or leave them in door boxes. Such exams disappear with disgusting regularity. Please get your exam into the hands of a living person. If you turn it into the philosophy department sectary, please have her time-stamp the exam to avoid any problems with possible late penalty. Set I 1. Trace the development of the beliefs and practices of Hinduism through the Vedic, Upanishidic and Epic periods. In terms of beliefs, includes the notions of divine Being, God, gods, the world, the human person and holy person and our fate after death. It is possible to adopt the classic Hindu thought to the needs of Americans today? Argue and Explain. 2. Discuss the identity of Brahman-Atman in Upanishadic Hinduism as mystical monism. What are the four path (yogas) that Hinduism recognizes as ways that lead to liberation from samsara? How can some paths be used to support the practice of other paths? Compare the discipline and purification of Hinduism with of other religions. Argue and Explain. 3. What did you learn from the four permissible goals in life about Hinduism? Explain the significance of the four stages (Ashramas) of life. What could be the positive aspects of Hindu moral principle for our contemporary social life? Argue and Explain. 4. Discuss the Buddha’s analysis of “suffering (dukkha).” Be sure to explain what he means by “the Three Signs of Life” and “the Four Noble Truth.” What do you think of his analysis? Can we examine our contemporary social life by Buddha’s approach? Argue and Explain. 5. Examine the differences between Theravada and Mahayana. In what sense was Mahayana both more popular and more speculative than Theravada? Which could be closer to the teaching of the Buddha? Do you think that certain ideas from Theravada and Mahayana could solve today’s social problems? Argue and Explain. 6. How can Buddhism be both religious and non-religious? What are its criticisms of Hinduism? What was the essence of Gautama’s enlightenment? Is it possible and necessary to have some kinds of dialogues between Buddhism and other religions in this world? Argue and Explain. 7. According to Confucius, what are Tian (Heaven) and Tian Ming (Mandate of Heaven)? What have these to do with the question of Whether Confucianism is a religion? Do you think Confucianism is a religion? Explain. For Confucius, what love and respect for the humanity and dignity of all persons? What is the balancing of love and respect in social relations? Does Confucius’ points help us to deal with today’s human problems? Argue and Explain. 8. What is the relationship between Dao and De (Te)? What is relationship between Pu (Uncarved Block) and Wuwei (Creative Quietude)? Do you think that these ideas are significant in our time? Why the movement of Yin and Yang forms the creative dynamic of return that gives rhythm and pattern to the universe, and seeks balance and harmony in nature, social life and family life. Argue and Explain. Set II 1. What is Judaism? What are the basic beliefs of Judaism? How should it be explained to someone who knows nothing about it? What does the term “chosen people” mean? What are the different branches of Judaism? What is Judaism’s most sacred text? Is there any evidence that Jewish thought and philosophy had an influence on Western culture, Western religions and Western philosophy? What is the principal way through which Jews uphold their obligations in the divine covenant, according to traditional Judaism? In what way has the climate of Israel contributed to the religious character of Judaism? Argue and Explain. 2. What is Islam? What are the basic beliefs of Islam? How should it be explained to someone who knows nothing about it? What are the fundamental differences between Shiite and Sunni Islam? Which one is more acceptable? Explain. Where do you draw a line between religion and state? Do you think that leaders of modern states should seek divine guidance as an official act? The imams are shown preaching political sermons. In what ways do you think it is appropriate for religious leaders to be involved in political issues? “How can Islam as a religion be used to buttress a state in the modern world?” Argue and Explain. 3. “How can Islam as a religion be used to buttress a state in the modern world?” Indeed, how can Christianity, or how can Judaism, be used to buttress a state in the modern world? The core of A1 Azhar was theology and the core of theology is justice or law. Do you think that ethics needs to be related to theology or religion? In what ways do you think that divine law should govern America as it seems to do in Islamic countries? Argue and Explain. 4. The mosque and the marketplace are not separated in Islam. Do you think religion should be involved this closely in the everyday economy of a nation? Where do you draw a line between religion and state? Why have not Western economies worked for the Arabian world, and is there a special Muslim economics that will be more appropriate to Islamic nations? Argue and Explain. 5. What is the difference between Christianity and Judaism? What is the difference between Islam and Judaism? How do you adjudicate between two equally valid claims to truth, such as Islam and Christianity? In what ways do you think that divine law should govern America as it seems to do in Islamic countries? Argue and Explain. 6. What is the relationship between science or technology and religion/culture? Is science conditioned and directed by religious/cultural values and preferences, or is science above or prior to religion/culture? What was the main purpose of the inquisition? Were earlier scientists simply cowed into creationism by the Inquisition? Argue and Explain. 7. Compare some concepts or theories of Eastern religions with of Western religions. Comment also on the question of whether there can be some sort of dialogue or integration between these two different approaches. Argue and Explain.