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100
western religion: prehistory
western religion teaches that there is a divine being, and that the purpose of life is to please said being and enter the afterlife. Meister, Chad. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Philosophy of Religion []. No Sponsor, n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. -
100
Eastern religion: prehistory
in general, most eastern relgion teaches that the purpose of life is to reach a divine state of being, commonly referred to in buddhism as nirvana.
Meister, Chad. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Philosophy of Religion []. No Sponsor, n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. -
Period: 140 to 200
Lao Tzu
Laozi lived in 6th century BCE china, he is credited for originating the religon of taoism (possibly referred to as Daoism). the relgion focusses on following what is referred to as the Tao (way), the toa being seperated into the toa of man and the toa of heaven. the goal of a toa folllower is to abandon the ego and achieve complete nothingness, therefore being able to act without intent. his religion also saw knowledge as being corrupting and therefore should be avoided. -
200
Lao-Tzu citation
Various authors. The Art of War and Other Classics of Eastern Thought. New york: Sterling, 2013. Print. -
Period: 240 to 320
Gotama Buddha
the buddha lived from 480-400 BCE and the the creator of buddhism. the meaning of life behind buddhism is being forced to relive until one reaches the state of nirvana, and passes on. Velez, Abraham. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Buddha []. No Sponsor, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014. -
Period: 305 to
Aristippus
lived from 435 B.C.E -356 B.C.E
he defined death as pleasure, and therfore life itself was the pursuit of pleasure. this is known as Hedonism. this meant striving for the most net pleasure (pleasure minus pain) during one's life. Keefe, Tim O' "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Aristippus []. No Sponsor, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014 -
Period: Jan 26, 654 to Jan 26, 730
Augustine
lived 354-430 C.E.
augistine's philosophy on life was that mankind was responsible for the actions (free will), but god is present in life, god is necessary for a meaningful life. Anonymous. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Augustine []. No Sponsor, n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014 -
Period: to
Thomas Hobbes
according to hobbes, mankind is supposed to be governed by a powerful leadership, who decides things. so in this sense, the meaning of life is create societies with organized power systems Williams, Garrth. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Hobbes, Thomas: Moral and Political Philosophy []. No Sponsor, n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2014. -
Period: to
John Locke
John Locke believed that mankind has a right to private property and that people enter social contracts that both sides have a right to disband. he believed that for the life of someone under a government, they are supposed to live their life, unhindered by the government, and rebel if the government mistreats them. Anonymous. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Locke, John []. No Sponsor, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014. -
Period: to
Benjamin franklin
Benejamin franklin emphasized what was referred to as enlightened self-interest, the idea of working toward material gain while also blancing it out with philanthropy. he believed that moral perfection could be achieved by focusing on his 13 virtues: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. Raslston, Shane J. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." American Enlightenment Thought []. No Sponsor, -
Period: to
John Adams
John adams believed that humans shouold live with personal liberties from birth, but they also use their freedom to increase their power and reputation, so the government should limit at times. in this sense, the point of life to to live your life without damaging the freedoms of others. Raslston, Shane J. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." American Enlightenment Thought []. No Sponsor, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014. -
Period: to
Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson's contributions to the constitution was the alooance for private propety which believed would allow for mankind to reach any potential. his philosophy of life is that the world changes and society changes with it. Raslston, Shane J. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." American Enlightenment Thought []. No Sponsor, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014. -
Period: to
Nietzsche
Nietzsche is known for his creation of the idea of nihilism, or the idea hat life has no meaning. in his philosophy, there is no universal meaning of life, so everyone must find individual meaning. Wilkerson, Dale. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Nietzsche, Friedrich []. No Sponsor, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014. -
Gospel of wealth
in 1889, Carnegie published the book "The Gospel of Wealth". it followed the idea of social darwinism. that is to say that some people are meant to live and be wealthy and other are meant to die poor. but the wealthy are meant to give back to the community in the form of culture. Carnegie, Andrew. "The North American Review Volume 0148 Issue 391 (June 1889)." The North American Review Volume 0148 Issue 391 (June 1889). Cornell University, June 1889. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. -
Period: to
Ayn Rand
Ayn rand's philosophy of liberalism is based on the idea of finding importance in the self, as opposed to basing self worth on helping others. According to this, man's purpose is to live independantly and responsably, basing opinion on the self. Hicks, Stephen R.C. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Rand, Ayn Alissa []. No Sponsor, n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. -
Period: to 261
Confucius
confucius lived from 551-479 BCE. his philosophy on life was a harmony between aesthetic order, social order, and religious order. blending a harmony of these ideas was crucial to improving the self, according to confucius. Richey, Jeff. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Confucius []. No Sponsor, n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2014
