Kevin+L.

=Primary Source 3: Forbidden City=

The Forbidden City was the capital in Bejjing during the Ming and Qing Empire. The city was built around 1406 under Zhu Di. It took 14 years to complete (1420) and was controlled by the Ming until 1644 when they Qing took it over. This served as the home for the politics as well as the emperor. It was considered forbidden since no one could enter or leave unless given they emperor allowed them to. Like the last great Muslim Empires (the Ottomans, Savifads, and Mughols), the Ming Dynasties faced corruption due to the lack of political responsibility of leaders. This city was a reason for the decline in productive leaders due to it's large amount of concubines. In Qing Dynasty, there were around 20,000 women serving as concubines for the emperor. With this massive amount of women, an heir was definite. Despite this, there was still a question of what child would become heir. To ensure that these were aboslutely the emperor's children, the guards and anyother men that were close to these women were eunuchs. Due to this, the political center of China was made up mainly of castrated men rather than scholared bureaucrats. That obviously played a role in mainly the Ming's struggle to find politcal and social balance. In the Ming Dynasty, time away from politics and more time overall with concubines perhaps also led to the rebellions that eventually allowed the Manchurians to take over and start the Qing. The Forbidden City obviously played a huge role in the Ming and Qing politicals. It was also an example of an escape for emperors to hide from their duties, which was a common issue during this time. Interestingly, this city was one of the non-Confucious politcal centers as well the biggest center for Manchurian rule in China. During both of the Ming and Qing Dynasty, Taoism played a role in the city's religion. The Qing Dynasty also emphasized Manchu Shamanism as well as Buddhism. (These two are very similar to each other.) While there was some Confucious influence to the Manchu Shamanism, there were hardly as much Confucian scholars involved with this political center as there was in previous dynasties such as the Han Dynasty. It also allowed a lot of once condemned Manchurian culture into the center of China during the Qing Dynasty. The Forbidden City is one of China's most important pieces of architecture. This was an example of imperial architecture. These buildings had more to them and were more luxerious than the common buildings since they were for the emperor. It contained yellow glazed tiles for the roofs. It was also meant to represent Chinese philosophy and religion. As mentioned earlier, a lot of the city was centered around religion. There were Buddhist statues and icons throughout the city as well as many temples and shrines. Despite mainly having yellow roofs there were some exceptions. The library of Palivon of Literary Profoundity had black roofs to show water and fire prevention. The Crown Prince's residence had green. This was to symbolize wood and growth. To Showcase classic Chinese philosophy, they set the layout of the buildings with the Classic of Rites, old literature as early as the Zhou Dynasty, this is an example of some of the Confucian aspects of this city. This city overall was an important one in Chinese culture. It brought a new capital to China that was would become not only a center for politics but also the emperor's concubines. This capital was also unique in the sense that it replaced most of the bureacratic gentry, that was mainly made of Confucianist, to eunuchs as well as a lot of Buddhists and Manchurians. It contained architecture that was meant to show the greatness in the emperor as well as the Chinese traditions.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =Class Starter:= Galileo Galilei It's important to know about Galileo since he was the creator for the science that is known today. He created theories that would reform science and separated science from philosophy and theology. This would obviously cause controversy since disproving many of Aristotle's claims and metaphysics as well as theological beliefs would outrage Aristotelian followers and Christians. However he was eventually revered for his efforts in science. He paved the way for new thinking in the same way Socrates did for Greek philosophy. Galileo was considered the "father of modern sciences" by Einstein and Stephen Hawking argued that was he was the most important scientist ever. Before becoming a scientist, Galileo was going enter priesthood until his father told him to go to the University of Pisa to study medicine. Despite his father's dreams of Gailieo's profession, Galileo eventually wanted to have a career in math as well as natural philosophy, which was the physics of the time. In 1589, he was appointed in the chair of mathmatics in Pisa. In this time, he conducted the experiement of dropping the balls down the Tower of Pisa. This was one of the many theories from Aristotle, Galileo disproved. Aristotle claimed that dropping a heavier and smaller should have significant difference speeds. However when Galileo supposedly experimented it and the balls, suprisingly had similar speed proving the speed they objects fell was independant from. (There is actually speculation whether he really did it. Many people say it could have been a thought experiment. However his pupil Vincenzo Viviani said that he did it.) This stands as one of his most significant experiments. He later moved shortly after his fathers death to teach sciences like math, mechanics and astronomy at the University of Padua in 1592. In this time, he was able to make strides in kinetic motion and astromony as well as technology for science such as improved telescopes. Although not being the first person to use a pratical telescope, Galileo, the following year, began to use one and greatly improved it. At first, it was mainly useful for merchants to see sea and an item of trade. However, it became much more important than that. His first major discovery was something he noticed about the Kepler's supernova. This was a new star way beyond the moon. It is said by Aristotle that nothing new can be created in the heavens. Galileo is able disprove immutability of the heavens since the star was new and is considered part of the heavens. Galileo also managed to disprove many of Aristotle's theories on Cosmology by discovering planets like Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus. He also disproved Aristotle's belief that the Moon was a perfect sphere. In Aristotle's defense, he wasn't able to have the acces Galileo had, but Galileo, nonetheless, significantly revised many of Aristotle's claims of Astromony with the ability to look at stars and planets that were originally never seen. Galileo theories also got him in trouble with the Inquisition, a group that was made to keep heresy out as well as other Christian authorities such as Pope Urban VIII. At the time, Christianity was denying the idea that the Earth wasn't the center nor did it revolve around the sun. An objection to this idea was the Copernican system. This was an early theory for modern Astronomy that claimed the sun was actually in the center of the universe rather than the Earth. Critics said there was no solid evidence to prove this until Galileo argued that the tides are evidence for the movement of the Earth. Gailieo intended to have his book, which talk about the arguements of the Copernican systems with the original Ptolemiac system, // Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems. // The reason this was looked at as a threat from much of Christianity at the time is because it condradicted the Bible, which say claims many things such as, " Lord set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved". Galileo said the Bible was not meant to be taken literally when it meant this. This shows Galileo wasn't Anti-Thiest but believed that theology wasn't meant to take completely literal. He argued this to the Roman Catholic Church and requested not to ban the Copernican ideas. The church wasn't convinced of the Copernican's ideas. Pope VIII, tried to get Galileo to get express the Pope's ideas and to not support the heliocentric, the same thing as Copernicanism. Galileo did share the Pope's thoughts, but he also made him look like a massive fool. However it was said to be unintentional. As punishment, Galileo work was banned and he forced under house arrest for the remainder of his life until he was permitted to go to Flourence in search for medical advice since he was getting very ill. After his death in 1642, he seemed to be much more revered by religion. 1718, most of his works were unbanned, except the // Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems. //However Pope Benedict XIV, in 1741, demanded that all of his works were to be published. Despite this, the //Dialogue// was still partially censored. Eventually uncensored printings of the //Dialogue// become allowed after official opposition from the Church Heliocentrism was dropped. Many Popes in the 20th century also came out, such as Pope Puis XII in 1939. He called Galileo one of the greatest heros of research. Pope John Paul II, in 1992, admitted the Church was unfair to Galileo, so despite the condemnation Galileo received from the Church then, the Church fully recognizes the importance in Galileo's contribution to science and realize his research was meant to expand scientific knowledge rather than to come off as a threat to Theology. == =**School of Athens: Socrates**= Yes, everyone knows Socrates, but that's because he's pretty much the one who influenced most of the Greek philosophy, and his basic teachings remain important and valid even to this day. While his teachings don't seem so foreign today, they were new ways of obtaining knowledge and philosophy. He was known for making the Socratic method, which was a civil discussion with several people that was meant to simulate a person's critical thinking. It would revolve around questioning a philosphy or belief in search for new ideas and thoughts. Socrates was on an endless hunt for knowledge as his famous quote states, "I know that I know nothing." This idea of questioning and revisioning the world the Greeks knew wasn't pleasing Athens however. Socrates was now embracing scholars to think and question. Eventually Socrates and his followers began to question traditional Greek beliefs such as their God, but primarily the Athen government itself. He would persistantly slam the Athenian government and reveal its corruption that it tried to hide. This constant and non-stop critiquing of Athens angered the Greek government. As a resulted Socrates was forced to commit suicide or go into exile. He decided he'd rather commit suicide than be forced out of his own city. Fortunately, this didn't discourage his followers from continuing his legacy. Plato, the protege of Socrates, as well as Plato's student, Aristotle, wrote and provided most of the information about Socrates known today since Socrates didn't write very much of his work. Plato also created schools for scholars and followers to expand their knowledge.

Socrates is relevant to the Renaissance because the Renaissance was about more critical thinking and finding questions and answers rather than blind faith and worship. This method advocates finding and expanding knowledge, which was the point of Socrates and his teachings. Before the Renaissances, people simply were not able to question the Church since they didn't have a bible to read nor any education to help them become literate and form any opinion that could question Catholicism as well as the rather primitive sciences that made were useless for important stuff such as medicine. The Renaissances provided knowledge and the ideals similar to Socrates and their ability to form educated opinions allowed them to question everything the people thought they knew. This allowed Europe to reform and no longer revolve on the Catholic church taking advantage of the people's inability to speak against it.



While not being in the **School of Athens**, I believe Confucius should be in there. During a bit of the Warring States as well the Qin rule, the popular belief was Legalism. This political idea beliefed in giving absolute control to military leaders. These leaders would rule with an "iron fist" since the ideology believed that people shouldn't live in an advanced manner and should rather act simply on what their leader says without question. Confucius, however, believed in educating and rewarding people for their intellect and judgement rather than simply their obedient response to command and ability to follow the rules. He also prefered a moral ruler who was also limited instead of an all powereful enforcer of law. Confucianism did, however, believe high moral ethic codes and rules that people were expected to accept and follow. Even though Confucianism never wasn't as successful as Legalism in the Qin Dynasty, despite the fact that it did establish more education in the Qin Dynasty, it gained its popularity in the next dynasty, the Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty was the Classical China. This dynasty was a much less a military-dominated empire and much more of a civilization with ethics, education, and scholars. These scholars could also end up a part of government if they excelled enough. These scholars were bureacrats. Eventually, the Han Dynasty contained many scholars and bureacracy began to dominate China politically. Confucius should be recognized for turning China away from a totalitarianist system without education and only enforcement of law and creating a bureacratic, educated China that includes high morals and ethics. This freedom from absolute control of Legalism and the movement of scholars expanding on intellect and morality politically and socially relates to Renaissance's freedom from forced worship and obedience as well as the Renaissance's gain in education and intellect. Great discussion Kevin. Nice analysis. -SW

= Primary Source 2: __ Seventeen Article Constitution __ by Prince Shotoku = Sources: []

[] (For the full 17 Articles!)

[]

[] In 604 AD, Japan was still trying to follow in the footsteps of China by creating a structured society, so Prince Shotoku created the __ Seventeen Article Constitution __ in attempt to create a virteous and righteous society. This constitution was eventually adopted by Empress Suiko. Despite being Japanese, this doesn't actually consist of much or any of Japanese's primary religion Shinto. Instead, it focuses on the Buddhist and Confucious values. Shotuko was primarily Buddhist, so Buddhism was the main way of life that was emphasized in this Constitutions. The Article II mentioned the Three Treasures: Buddha, finding enlightenment, and those who have found enlightenment. Article V mentioned getting rid of desires. Article VII mentions meditation in order to find enlightenment. Article X talks about compassion and acceptance for others which is similar to Articles: I, IX, and XV. Article XIV mentions not to become envious of others. Shotoku definately intended to add in the teachings of Buddhism since that was his religion, and this shows that Buddhism had significantly made an impact on Japan. There are many Confucious virtues in this Constitution as well. The first few articles Confucious in the way that they are about accepting a person's class and their role to society. Article I mentions how embracing a person's own class as well as others is the key to harmony. The most important role for the people that are below is explained in Articles III, which is about obeying and being good to a superior. However it also mentions people should be able to express what they believe is right or wrong in Article VI, which perhaps means the lower classes should have the right to question authority unless this Article only applies to superiors questioning what is right or wrong for inferiors. The included articles are the ones towards the superior ministers and officials: IV, V, possibly VI, VII, VIII, VIV, and XVI. They mainly mentioned the importance of being a good leader by not taking advantage of those lower than the superior and lead the inferior by being righteous and fair. This shows that Confucianism did actually play a role in Japan despite not being as prominent as Buddhism. This was significant for Japan because it was a start in making a structure for their society. Unlike the __Code of Hammurabi__, Roman Code and Law, and __The Digest__, (which incorpates Roman Code and Law), the __17 Article Constitution,__ this wasn't about enforcing law that was given as much as it is about giving moral and virtue structure. This type of structure is closer to the Chinese structure in the Han Dynasty, which consist of the Confucious values as well as the Edics of Ashoka, which consist of Buddhist values. Eventually Japan gave up on attempting a modeled society similar to China's and went to Feudalism around the time the Mongols took over China, but this primary source shows the attempt that was made by Japan to be like China before they become Feudalist.



http://www.animal-rights-library.com/texts-c/plutarch01.htm
= The Moralia- "On the Eating of Flesh" (by Plutarch) =

Speaker- Plutarch

 * 46 AD -120 AD
 * Wrote essays and biographies

Occasion- During the Roman Empire

 * Meats were considered delicacy
 * Meat was not a necessary form of food and seldomly bought by lower-class citizens.
 * Pork was one of the treasured meats
 * Lamb also a common type of meat
 * Plutarch was writing his philosophical book, The Moralia that included 78 essays about his and other valued philosophical views.

Audience- Public

 * The Moralia was published for the public around 100 A.D.
 * "On the Eating of Flesh" was the 68th essay out of the 78

The purpose was mainly to express Plutarch's strong opinions about people eating meat
"...for the sake of some little mouthful of flesh, we deprive a soul of the sun and light, and of that proportion of life and time it had been born into the world to enjoy. And then we fancy that the voices it utters and screams forth to us are nothing else but certain inarticulate sounds and noises..."
 * He believed it was unnessecary to kill the animals since, unlike nomads or predators, meats were not needed to survive nor was did it stand a chance. Evidence from passage, (Tract 1 part 3, paragraph 6,) "For we eat not lions and wolves by way of revenge; but we let those go, and catch the harmless and tame sort, and such as have neither stings nor teeth to bite with, and slay them..."
 * He also believed it was not worth killing animals just to fullfil people's pleasures of eating meat, yet people carry a delusion that animals do not suffer when being slaughtered. Evidence from, (Tract 1 part 4, paragraph 7,)

Subject- Roman Empire and eating meat
== Overall thoughts:‍ This has made me consider what I'm eating. ‍While I still enjoy meat, I understand that animals have to be sacrificed for me to be able to obtain it, which is unfortunate and tragic, and I get why people advocate vegetarian diets. However slaughtering today is usually humane, so animals probably have little to no idea what is actually going on and end up dying quick and without much pain, so while it's impossible to fully justify slaughtering animals for meat and the fact that they are still sacrificed for human desires rather than needs, it's possible to argue that the animal recieves an uncruel and unpainful death when killed properly. ==

= SOURCES: =

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moralia

http://www.therthdimension.org/AncientRome/RomanFoodDrink/romanfooddrink.htm

http://www.animal-rights-library.com/texts-c/plutarch01.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutarch