WORLD RELIGIONS, Phil/Relig 1150 - Honors ANALYSIS PAPER 1

COD, FALL 2010

As the syllabus says, there are two "argumentative papers" required for this
course alongside “the project.” The first due date is still a ways away,
Tuesday, October 26th to be exact. Here, I have written out 6 specific
questions and suggest the concepts and critiques that need to be considered in
each. Note that each asks you to take some kind of a thoughtful, defensible
stand on the coherence and reasonability of religious ideas. Pick ONE of these
questions for your essay (but see #7) and write a 4-5 page, typed, double-spaced
paper that shows me the accuracy of your understanding of difficult concepts and
your ability to think through such ideas fairly and critically. You will be
graded on accuracy of information, clarity of presentation, critical reasoning,
and simple writing ability. So show me both clear exposition and insightful
personal thinking. You should quote our readings where they offer helpful
authority, but you may also have to do a little extra reading on the side. Add
a brief bibliography.

QUESTIONS:

1) Explain the meaning of, basis for, and practices implied by animism and
ancestor spirits in Tribal Religions. Using examples from religions we
studied and others you investigate on your own, show how this religious view
offers a healthy alternative to modern, technology-dependent life. Consider,
however, the value of technology and the less romantic aspects of native
beliefs in nature spirits, fear of the dead, etc. In the end, do you think
we would be a happier people if we were more like native peoples religiously?

2) Some say Hinduism is monotheistic, not polytheistic; others say it’s both;
some think its “monotheism” is really monism and not “theism” at all. To
think this over, explain the Hindu concept of Brahman and its implications
for metaphysics (monism denying plurality and individuality?) and for finding
salvation by renunciation. Then describe Hindu polytheism and its
implications for metaphysics (numerous distinct, limited gods) and for the
propriety of devotional practices. Are these two Hindu practices really
compatible? Does it make sense to think of the gods philosophically as just
different aspects of Brahman, or is it really more reasonable to think of the
gods as useful lies? Could all the interpretations of Hinduism
(monotheistic, etc.) be equally valid? Be critical, not merely subjective.

3) Using the 4 Holy Truths (or at least the first three) describe the Buddhist
soteriology, trying to emphasize its explanatory, causal connections. You
may have to do a little research to give more explanation than we could get
in class. Analyzing these ideas, do you think this way of looking at the
world is pessimistic, or is it just an honest facing of facts? Maybe it's
both. Argue for a position on whether or not you think this Buddhist picture
accurately describes our experience of the world and a likely (and
attractive) solution to its troubles.

4) Explain how the Tao of the Taoists implies a way of life that emphasizes
simplicity and distancing oneself from social concerns. Explain also the
Confucian concept of order and ideal of life described as involvement with
relationships on strictly specified guidelines, ultimately also rooted in
"the Way (Tao) of Heaven". You will probably have to understand the “Tao”
concept for both and potentially compare them. Is either of these really a
consistent philosophy or an ideal way of life in your opinion? Which? Or is
there a rationally consistent combination?
5) Explain the Hindu concept of Atman, the deep inner soul of all living
individuals. Contrast it to the Buddhist concept of anatman, the view that
there is no soul, no real eternal “essence.” Philosophically analyze both
views. Does either explain identity concepts adequately? Does the Hindu
view explain the idea of reincarnation better than the Buddhist? Does
Buddhism offer a more realistic, less speculative vision of ourselves? Does
one or the other give better reasons for detachment from the world and
salvation? Does either of them succeed in explaining the value or disvalue
of individuality? Use such ideas (not necessarily all of them, but maybe
some others you discover) to try to say which view you think is more
reasonable.

6) Explain how Confucians were very much involved with the social world, and how
even Taoists were involved with the natural world. At the same time, Hindu,
Jain and Indian Buddhist soteriologies seem to call us to leave the world,
detach ourselves, deny identity, desires, and relationships. Using such
examples (at least one Indian, one Chinese), explain a little the religions’
relationship to the surrounding world and social life. Then try to say why
you prefer a world-affirming religion over a world-escaping religion, or vice
versa. Try to be fair also to the one you disagree with.

7) Write a question of your own along lines similar to those above. It should
call for straightforward exposition of key concepts and some critical
analysis of those ideas either for inner consistency or comparative
explanatory power. The question can be in one religion or compare two, but
of course it must deal with central ideas from this section of the class. It
might be some “Eastern” religion we didn’t discuss much, but special interest
in comparing “Eastern” and “Western” conceptions should wait until next
paper. Write out the question explicitly and clear it with me BEFORE you
proceed. When you write the paper, place the question at the head of your
essay.