Sociology Essay Samples

Over the course of history, society has undergone subtle changes that have greatly helped to shape the modern world as it is today. Through these changes, humans have been able to evolve and develop a sense of individuality. In order to understand these changes it is important to examine human history, as it will provide a clear picture of how the current modern world has been shaped. Before the axial period before 800 BCE, the creation of order in society was the most important thing. However, this gradually changed and during the axial period, Between 800 and 200 BCE different individuals arose with different ideals and thoughts, which lead to the movement that began archaic religions that would soon grow into religions of salvation. As stated earlier, these changes were slow and gradual, throughout history. It is important to note that the noted changes in society were influenced by numerous other external factors that arose as individuality started to form.
An in-depth analysis into history reveals that in the axial period traditions such as Confucianism and Taoism arose in China, Buddhism in India as well as Zoroastrianism. Some these traditions identified from the past are still existent and are practiced in the modern world. It is also clear that traditions such as Zoroastrianism continue to influence modern world as they lead to the development of Judaism, which in turn helped shape Christianity, as well as Islam. According to the reading, it is during the same period (axial) in Greece where self-conscious individuals such as Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato arose from a society that had a communal mentality. These individuals provided opinions on life that helped to shape the individual nature of religion.
The main reason for this observation is that at the end of the axial period, religions started to be more inclined in appealing to individuals as opposed to society as a whole. In turn, this led to people being less defined by their society, tribe, and ethnicity leading to the rise in world religions that would appeal to individuals across borders and forms an excellent basis for most of the modern religions. This makes the axial period an important part of modern religion as it helped in setting new stages for human development as well as the development of religion.
According to the reading, at the end of the axial period, the rise of world religions was mainly facilitated by the fact that separation of self and the world was not possible. This is mainly because the axial period produced individuals who perceived a greater purpose in life as opposed to archaic religions that strived to maintain the status quo in society. This helped to shape religious views that acknowledged that human life is unsatisfactory and lacking. This is noted in most modern religions, for example, in Judaism where human beings are believed to have an inborn inclination towards being evil.
The same is noted in Christianity, where human beings are believed to have inherited the sins of their ancestors (Adam and Eve). Marxists (a secular religion) believe that capitalism is evil while Hindus and Buddhists believe that life is full of suffering starting at birth and ending at death. The observation or belief that human life is unsatisfactory most the religions have been modelled towards offering human beings salivation and liberation from the problems that they face. Therefore, it is important to study the different types of liberations or salvations that all the different religions offer to their believers.