Shaping History By Belief History is a never-ending story that explains the five W’s: who, what, when, where, and why. However, an important question is missing from what history is stereotyped to be. What shapes history?
Whether it is from a societal, national, or civil aspect, history is shaped by the ideals and beliefs human beings hold to be true—as in deism, theism, and even atheism—self-interest, and the want for power. Belief, as in faith and, or the idea there is something greater to for work for than just oneself, is the backbone of every society throughout human civilization. Belief also outlines moral principles which individuals can collectively hold true. Moral doctrines are the cornerstone and deciding factor the actions of
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In India, the Hindu belief created the caste system and was, but still is illegally practiced today, the moral understanding of life and for their culture. The driving force behind the caste system is to reach Koksha (liberation). Individuals and India as nation actions’ and social mobility were quantified by the caste system. For example, there is a large population of Hindus who are vegetarians. This principle is rooted in the Hindu teaching of Karma, and Karma is directly linked with the caste system. For those who do not eat meat, there is a better chance of reaching Koksha or even being rebirthed in a better position in the caste system. India’s human rights policy until recently, was segregated, racist, and sexist because of the caste’s structure. Hindu theology of Karma, Koksha, and the caste system shaped and developed their history. In Islamic countries or cultures historic development is rooted in the teachings Muhammad in the Qu’ran. Muslim majority countries like in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia put in place laws reflecting their beliefs. For example, women have to dress in a burqa, there is prayer is five times a day, and one must fast during Ramadan. Their actions to go to war, sign treaties, and defend their way of life is influenced by their theology. The history of Muslim people and Muslim nations is rooted in their moral conscience just like …show more content…
Individuals who hold a faith in the state believe the state is the moral authority, creator of civilization, and the abstract that helps in the time of need. In simple terms, the state is God and acts like God. Therefore, the faith in the state is the catalyst in historical development. The state, like religion, sets up moral boundaries, law, and development outlining the way to live for their followers. Individual’s actions and thoughts are constructed to benefit the state because they believe what is doing the most right for everyone—even if it forced option like in North Korea or Communism. Like in Islam or Christianity there is a dedication, but not to a God, but to the self and the state, and the state being the most crucial. For example, there is a great pride in the state like the Japanese. The identity—a homogenous population dedicated to the betterment of the state and self-sacrifice—has followed this understanding for thousands of years. During World War Two the Japanese would not give up until the very last moment (USA had to drop two atomic bombs) because of their faith in the state. There still a majority of Japanese who believe and follows a path of enlightenment like
Firstly, the caste system reflects the inequality of Indian society. Although religion in India is characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices, majority of Indian population follow Hinduism. Therefore, the dominance of Hinduism beliefs is common in India. There is a belief in caste system, as Brood said, “a system of hierarchical social organization”1. Hindu society is divided into four main classes; the priestly class, the warrior and administrator class, the producer class who is farmers and merchants and the servant class. The remaining group of people who is “outcastes” is called “untouchables” or dalit. Brodd recognizes “dalits continue to suffer terrible oppression, especially in rural communities in India”. I still could not imagine how terrible this bottom class suffers until reading Max Bearak article. All sufferings of Rohith Vemula, from the hardships of growing up poor, interactions with society in caste to scholarship revoke and suicide, happened tragically because he was born in a dalit family. This is the
The caste system has been extremely stable in India for over two thousand years. It is only since the more modern, independent state of India was formed that the system has come under any scrutiny at all. It is presently outlawed, but many of the practices, attitudes and traditions remain ingrained in Hindu society (University of Wyoming, 1997).
Looking upon Indian society for comparison, it is seen that the primary factor of the caste system is built
Caste system: A social system where your occupation and position in society is based on your ancestry.
The caste system refers to Indian social order which is based on ancestry. The main social classes, “varna”, had priests at the top and peasants at the bottom. It developed due to increasing social complexity from intermingling with Dravidians.
India is known for its highly-restricted or even cruel, inhuman caste system. This caste system will follow an Indian’s life forever, until he died. An Indian can’t choose which caste to be but only nature-born. This caste system highly prevent to social development in India. Recently, this system even destroys the normal, happy life of normal Indians. They fight against caste system for love but ends up suiciding.
William Shakespeare is renowned for his tragedies that explore the ideas of the human psyche, exhibiting how actions and decisions can affect emotional stability and sanity. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, the main character Macbeth makes morally questionable decisions that lead to his tragic downfall. Macbeth’s downfall is conveyed through his inner turmoil and unstable state of mind. The deceitful nature and actions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth indicate an idea of false appearances as they try to hide their true selves from those around them, flooding the atmosphere with a wave of guilt and paranoia. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth ultimately fall into despair due to the consequences of their actions.
The caste system is known as the spine of the Hindu religion, its presence is essential for most Hindus. Although it creates a lot of hard time on those of the lower caste as it describes them as filthy and untouchable, it is much widely accepted by most Hindus because of one main reason, it is mentioned in the Vedas which is an ancient Hindu script that explains the primary ideals of the Hindu religion.
Ideologies, social patterns, social structures or cultural customs influences an individual’s perception of history. History is used as a building block for upcoming generations, thus making it difficult to accept differences among societies.
Before reaching to such extend, as soon as Palmer figured the problems he should have addressed to top authority regarding the issue he is facing and should have raised voice regarding his concerns.
In India, during the late Vedic Period which lasted from 1000 to 500 B.C, an ancient form of Hinduism flourished. As it possessed no official superior work of literature, such as the Bible or the Koran, Hinduism became one of the most tolerant religions due to its lack of binding documentation. A life committed to Hinduism was spent constantly maintaining the socio-economic order in an attempt to achieve universal stability, which was something highly valued in this tolerant religion. “Thus Indian society has always been concerned with stability rather than with progress...” (Early India).Hinduism’s central requirement was to fulfill the duties of a person’s caste, or class, which largely affected the daily life of anyone living in ancient India. At the top of the social pyramid
The caste system itself is a system of social stratification, based on two concepts, varna and jati. Varna
A few disadvantages of India’s social system are that Religion, caste, and language are major determinants of social organizations. According to the US Department of State-Background Notes website, even though the government has declared the caste system as illegal, it still has a presence in occupational and societal hierarchies (The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, 2010).
The caste system is a form of differentiation wherein constituent units of a system justify endogamy based on assumed biological differences which are semaphored by ritualization of multiple social practices. The idea of purity and pollution has had a very serious impact in the Indian society and the fates of people have been decided on this very notion almost forever now. B.R Ambedkar, the father of our constitution, in his book The Annihilation of Caste has made several strong points on why India as a country should abolish the caste system. When one comes to think of it, each and everything he has mention in that book needs to be given a very serious thought, for a country like India to develop and move forward.
The caste system also plays a critical role on Indian society as it dictates a person’s social position. I believe this to be true in more rural areas and smaller communities of Indian society. The dharma in each caste system is not always the same and the caste systems dharma can vary. This is to say that dharma is not necessarily universal