Classical Civilizations and World Religions (Notes Summary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the notes on Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Greek rationalism, Christianity, Islam, and related topics.

Confucianism

A secular moral philosophy in China emphasizing social harmony through hierarchical relationships, the virtue of ren, filial piety, and a merit-based civil service; education shapes the state worldview.

Ren

Benevolence or human-heartedness; a central Confucian virtue guiding ethical behavior and interpersonal relations.

Filial piety

Loyalty to and reverence for one's parents and ancestors; a model for loyalty to the emperor and support for social hierarchy.

Analects

The collected sayings of Confucius, compiled by his students; foundational text for Confucian thought.

Legalism

A Chinese political philosophy asserting that humans are self-serving and require strict laws, heavy punishment, and clear rewards to maintain order.

Qin Shi Huangdi

First emperor of a unified China; used Legalism to create centralized authority; his brutal rule sparked debates about legitimacy.

Han Fei Tzu

Proponent of Legalism who argued for strong state power, surveillance, and severe penalties to deter wrongdoing.

Taoism

Chinese philosophy/religion advocating harmony with the Tao, naturalness, spontaneity, and a withdrawal from rigid social rules.

Lao Tzu

Legendary founder of Taoism; attributed author of the Tao Te Ching.

Tao Te Ching

Foundational Taoist text describing the Tao and guidance for living in harmony with nature.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher who promoted social harmony through moral leadership and ethical cultivation; founder of Confucianism.

Hinduism

Diverse South Asian traditions centered on concepts like dharma, karma, samsara, moksha; multiple paths and many gods.

Vedas

Earliest Indian sacred texts, orally transmitted by Brahmins; foundational to Vedism and later Hindu practices.

Upanishads

Philosophical Hindu texts exploring atman (self) and Brahman (world soul); emphasis on mysticism over ritualism.

Atman

The individual soul; in Hindu thought, part of the universal Brahman.

Brahman

The ultimate universal reality or world soul in Hinduism.

Samsara

The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth governed by karma.

Karma

The moral law of cause and effect that shapes future rebirths.

Moksha

Liberation from samsara; union with the divine Brahman.

Caste

Social stratification in Hindu society; reinforced by dharma and ritual obligations; often patriarchal.

Bhakti

Devotional worship movement within Hinduism; accessible to all and emphasizes personal devotion to a deity.

Mirabai

Renowned female Bhakti poet illustrating intense devotion to Vishnu.

Bhagavad Gita

Section of the Mahabharata where Krishna counsels Arjuna on dharma and the spiritual path.

Mahabharata

Epic about the dynastic struggle between the Pandavas and Kauravas; contains the Bhagavad Gita.

Ramayana

Epic about Rama, his dharma, and the quest to defeat evil; Rama is an incarnation of Vishnu.

Dharma

Duty, moral order, and the righteous path; central in Hindu and Indian epic thought.

Siddhartha Gautama

The Buddha; founder of Buddhism who attained enlightenment and taught the path to end suffering.

Nirvana

Enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of samsara in Buddhism.

Theravada

The Teaching of the Elders; early Buddhist school emphasizing wisdom and monastic life.

Mahayana

The Greater Vehicle; later Buddhist tradition featuring bodhisattvas and more devotional elements.

Bodhisattva

Enlightened being who postpones final nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment.

Ashoka

Mauryan emperor who promoted Buddhism and religious tolerance; supported missionary activity.

Zoroastrianism

Ancient Persian religion centered on Ahura Mazda and the cosmic struggle between good and evil.

Ahura Mazda

The supreme god of Zoroastrianism, associated with light and goodness.

Angra Mainyu

The destructive spirit in Zoroastrian dualism opposing Ahura Mazda.

Zarathustra

Prophet of Zoroastrianism; taught worship of Ahura Mazda and moral dualism.

Avesta

Sacred scriptures of Zoroastrianism, written in the Avestan language.

Parsis

Zoroastrians who migrated to India; Indian Zoroastrian diaspora.

Judaism

Monotheistic religion of the Hebrews; covenant with Yahweh, historical migrations, and a law-based tradition.

Yahweh

The Hebrew name for God in Judaism; central monotheistic deity.

Monotheism

Belief in a single, all-powerful God; foundational to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Greek rationalism

Philosophical movement privileging reason and empirical observation over myth; exemplified by Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

Socrates

Greek philosopher who employed the Socratic method; challenged assumptions and was executed.

Plato

Student of Socrates; founder of Platonic philosophy; wrote dialogues and theory of Forms.

Aristotle

Student of Plato; contributed to logic, empirical science, and natural philosophy; tutor of Alexander the Great.

Pericles

Athenian leader who advanced democracy and supported arts and learning.

Hellenization

Spread and mingling of Greek culture across the Mediterranean and Near East.

Jesus

Central figure of Christianity; Jewish teacher whose teachings formed the basis of a new faith.

Paul (Saint Paul)

Early Christian missionary who spread Christianity to Jews and Gentiles and wrote epistles; pivotal in establishing churches.

Constantine

Roman emperor who converted to Christianity and endorsed it as a state religion.

Church councils

Ecumenical gatherings that defined orthodox doctrine and selected biblical texts.

Crusades

Medieval religious wars between Christians and Muslims; facilitated cross-cultural contact and knowledge exchange.

Islam

Monotheistic faith that emerged in 7th-century Arabia; spread across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond; influenced by and interacting with Christianity and Judaism.

Renaissance

Cultural and intellectual revival in Europe, reengaging Greek/Roman knowledge, heavily influenced by Islamic preservation of antiquities.