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Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, And Platonism

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Essay One Brian Munoz Philosophy 10/23/15 What Are We - What are we? In this essay, I’ll be comparing and contrasting the four views of human nature that we have studied so far – Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Platonism – critically examining their similarities and differences. Also, I’ll be explaining which one I think provides the most plausible understanding of what we are. First, I will introduce each of the four views of human nature by defining them. Then, I will elaborate and thoroughly explain what each one claims that we are. Confucianism is a system of philosophical and "ethical-sociopolitical teachings" sometimes described as a religion. Confucianism developed during the Spring and Autumn Period from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE), who considered himself a retransmitter of Zhou values. As Jeffrey Richey stated in his overview, “The purpose of existence is to reach one 's highest potential as a human being” (Richey 1). Through a rigorous process of self-cultivation that lasts a lifetime, one may eventually become a "perfected person." The relentless quest for virtue begins with the most basic human activities, such as mindful direction of one 's sight, hearing, speech, and action. Hinduism is the dominant religion, or way of life, in South Asia, most notably in India and Nepal. Although Hinduism contains a broad range of philosophies, it is a family of linked religious cultures bound by shared concepts, recognizable rituals,

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