The definition of humans in the past was greatly majored on the ape-like features that made their separation between humans and the apes difficult. In this case, human’s beings were defined as archaic humans with lower brain capacity. However, apart from the characteristics provided, there was no any single accepted definition of human beings. Therefore, there were no adequate definitions. Currently, the term human being refers to the only extant species of the genus Homo. Homo sapiens refer to the anatomically modern man who evolved from the archaic human beings. -What are the characteristics of a civilization? How do these apply to two of the cultures we have visited?
Civilizations have distinct characteristics. These include social structure such as economic and jobs, stable food supply mainly from agriculture or hunting, religion including a set of beliefs, gods, worship centres, and religious leaders. Civilizations also have a government, distinct language symbols, culture, and technology. The cultures we have visited have distinct religious observations, source of food, government, and language. Discuss the important changes that took place in the Neolithic period.
The Neolithic period marks the emergence of human technology. During this time (10, 000 BC), also referred to as new Stone Age saw humans develop various stone tools that saw the Neolithic revolution begin. The Neolithic revolution ended with sophisticated metal tools. Due to this, it led to domestication of animals and crops marking the beginning of agriculture. Geography is destiny. Apply this statement to the areas we have visited.
Geography is destiny since a region develops according to its geography. In the areas we have visited; the crops grown are determined entirely the geography of the areas i.e. climate, terrain, altitude, etc. play a major role in the determining the economic activities. The economic activities including fishing are also determined by the geographical features. The geography also determines the modes of transport available, mineral deposits, as well as limitations. Were the Islamic peoples only transitional? Discuss.
There is controversy of the case of Islam being on transitional or not. Islam as a religion fights for the rights of its people demanding for justice, freedom, and independence from oppressors. Based on these premises, one concludes that Islam people are on a transition from typical injustice society to a just one. On the contrary, the laws as set out in the Quran and the Hadith that Muslims use may be used to counter the transitional ideology. It is because these laws are superior to most of the interpretation provided. In states where the Muslims rule exclusives, Islam is the state religion. The religion guides all aspects of life from culture to economic activities, and hence, Islam would not be perceived as a transition. Discuss three of the one-cause explanations of the universe. Which makes the most sense and why?
The origin of the universe can be “caused”, “self-caused” or “uncaused”. For self-caused, the arguments go against the law of non-contradiction. The law states that, “something cannot “be,” and “not be”, at the same time” i.e. something cannot be “A” and “not A” at the same time and form. Therefore, if the universe caused itself, it implies that it existed and did not exist at the same time. For the uncaused, it means that the universe existed from nowhere and without cause or reason. The argument violates the cause effect principles. The argument presumes that the universe is eternal. Such goes against the time limits; it is not possible to have infinite time before now/today. The “caused” argument holds that the universe is caused by something external fro it. The controversy with this argument is the causing agent. Nevertheless, the causing agent transcends the universe. The caused argument seems to be more realistic since it makes sense of the current human knowledge that “the universe was created by God”
What technological feats promoted the prosperity of the romans? Discuss.
The prosperity of the romans is promoted by the following technologies. Energy supply was from coal, water, human, animal, peat, and oil. The capability to make machines such as the Roman Hierapolis sawmill was critical in the prosperity of the Romans. The Romans were able to make great dams, bridges, and aqueducts from its rich architectural development. Such innovations were important tin the economic development of Roman. They also introduced in-door plumbing that improved the sanitation. On the military technology, Romans made light weapons that could be used in war easily. Explain the theories of knowledge of Plato and Aristotle. Which is correct? why? Discuss.
Plato’s theory of knowledge holds that knowledge is a true belief that is justifiable. For one to know something, one has to believe it as true. On the other hand, Aristotle bases his argument on two principles; the first is axioms or the common principles that are taken as universal truths. Second is the posits or simply principles based on certain science. The first principle comes with an induction through perception. Sensation that is stored in memory determines the experience, and from the experience one determines knowledge. The Aristotle’s basis to knowledge is entirely correct. It has stood the test of time, and it gives one a great certainty and validity. How did changes in obtaining food impact us in the Neolithic period? Discuss.
Changes in food access made the early civilizations expand much rapidly. The population growth increased, and towns developed leading to more domestication of animals and crops. The demand of more tools to use in the fields led to ancient industrialization. Weapons made also increased the desire for the rulers to expand their kingdoms. "The Greeks discovered everything". Discuss this statement
Everything invented is done so using knowledge. The first great creators of knowledge are the Greeks. Based on this premises, then, it is imperative that the Greeks discovered everything. The Greeks began the education foundations as known today. Therefore, even the new discoveries have their basis from the Greek’s knowledge. Man is the only creature that cooks. Discuss the effects of cooking on physiology and culture.
Cooking changed the human culture completely. The human body has since adapted to cooked food such that survival without it would be difficult. Cooking increased obtaining of nutrients from the food that led to increased brain content of the humans. Cooking made the man more social as humans gathered in cooking places during preparation meals. They developed closeness and gender roles evolved with time. Such gender roles are still evident in the current society that women are supposed to cook for the family. What are some of the upsides and downsides of the technologies discussed in the first 6 items in the handout packet? Highlight 4. Discuss
Negatives of technology; led to higher rates of fatalities in war, expansion of civilization due to supply of food destroying the forests, Increased population due to more food supply and a higher rate of extraction of resources. The negatives of technology have an association with man’s ability to produce more food, i.e. clearing larger regions for farming. The supply of more food increased the population leading to more demand for food. In the case of war, the fatalities increased tremendously due to the sophistication of the weapons.
Work cited
Tattersall Ian, Schwartz Jeffrey "Evolution of the Genus Homo". Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 37: 67–92. 2009
http://www.slideshare.net/ctrammel/what-are-the-characteristics-of-a-civilization
http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/book/islam-9780195174304/islam-9780195174304-chapter-53
http://stayontargetstayontarget.blogspot.com/2012/05/universe-caused-self-caused-or-uncaused.html
Smith, M. K. ‘Aristotle on knowledge’, the encyclopaedia of informal education 1999.
