1. 1. What, where, and when was The Axial Age? 2.
1. What, where, and when was The Axial Age? 2. Many scholars believe the “perennial
philosophy” of the Axial Age is an indicator that most if not all cultures originally shared a
common monotheistic outlook of religion before the emergence of the various outlooks
that exist today. What do you think of this theory? 3. All religious worldviews boil down to
either Henotheism/Monotheism, Polytheism, Pantheism, or Atheism. Define these terms. 4.
(Have read by Day 1 of Week 7): Read through the various excerpts from the sacred texts of
Hinduism and answer the following questions: a. What is the riddle-like dialogue which the
sages engaged in about the origin and meaning of the universe called? b. Define atman and
brahman. c. How did the story of Shvetaketu and Uddalaka illustrate the concepts of
atman and brahman? d. What is karma? What is karma-yoga and how is it different than
the earlier understanding of karma? 5. (Have read by Day 2 of Week 7): Read through the
various excerpts from the sacred texts of Buddhism and answer the following questions:
a. What are the Four Noble Truths? b. What is the Eightfold Path? c. What are the Three
Poisons? d. What is samsara? e. What are the Three Marks of Existence? f. What is
anatta? g. What is Nibbana? Type up #’s 1-5 by end of Week 7 6. (Have read by Day 1 of
Week 8): Read through the various excerpts from The Analects of Confucius and answer the
following questions: a. What is Li? b. What are the 5 Relationships? c. What is Hsiao? Jen?
7. (Have read by Day 1 of Week 8): Read through the excerpts from the Daodejing
and answer the following question: a. Describe the Dao. What is it exactly? 8. Summarize
the various Hellenistic Philosophies’ perspectives on the human condition here. 9. What is
the Ancient Happiness Hypothesis? What are its flaws? 10. (Have read by Day 2 of Week 8):
Read the various excerpts from the Stoic philosophers in the Unit 3 Readings Document and
then answer the following question: How do the Stoic philosophers’ views reflect a belief in
the Happiness Hypothesis? 11. (Have read by Day 2 of Week 8): Read the story “The Choice
of Heracles” story in the Unit 3 Readings Document and then answer the following question:
How would you have chosen? 12.
In the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament, there is a remarkably nuanced
“happiness hypothesis.” How is this view different from that of the Stoics?
