“Concern for the Entire World” The Axial Age and Beyond

Name: Instructor: Course: Date: “Concern for the Entire World” The Axial age and Beyond Summary Prior to the Axial age, religious practices like human sacrifice were more common, but then the emergence of today’s most widely practiced religious faiths changed this as the ancient kingdoms declined. Rather than focus on religious rituals, the people addressed ethical questions during the axial age, including concerns of generosity towards strangers and compassion. Judaism, Christianity and Islam all emphasized the importance of helping others and even the promise of rewards for those who were generous, and by the 16th century the Golden Rule where ethical obligations were emphasized became a concern in various societies. Charity and helping people among the Buddhists was highly valued, highlighting generosity was and is still valued. Besides religious discourse, there were together the factors that influenced generosity in the axial age as there were increased conflicts, prosperity and innovative technology, which influenced various civilizations. Even as there were various misunderstandings and betrayals during the Axial Age, people behaved with generosity and yet did not believe that it was an age of spiritual awakening. The rulers also encouraged charity as a way to boost morale among the rule and especially the warriors and loyalists. The moral imperative to promote generosity was not confined to specific regions as diverse people and cultures emphasize different aspects of selflessness. It is likely that people in ancient civilizations who interacted with outsiders were exposed to those who were suffering and real...