Archeology Of World Religions By Jack Finegan example essay topic

Used at MSU Confucianism and Taoism World Religions andThe Archeology of World Religions The three books for which I base my review on are the following: Confucianism World Religions, by Thomas and Dorothy Hoobler, published in 1993, Taoism World Religions, by Paula R. Hartz, also published in 1993, and The Archeology of World Religions, authored by Jack Finegan, published in 1952. I would first like to give thanks to these authors for writing on such interesting topics. The books in combination gave me tremendous insight into the lives and teachings of many of the great Chinese philosophers and the periods of rule. The authors explained in detail how the leaders of the Chinese people incorporated Confucianism and Taoism into their way of life, and how the two philosophies helped in ruling their countries.

Based on my reading of these books, I have concluded that, there are numerous similarities in the historical accounts of these religions. The authors are very well educated and know how to deliver their information to its intended audience. The facts presented in these books are in my opinion, indisputable. The way that Mr. Jack Finegan presents his findings is through vast research, help from numerous institutions, and factual historical accounts.

His studies in this book take him to the beginning of the culture in China. When one reads either Confucianism World Religions or Taoism World Religions, by their respective authors, one gets the personal feeling that the books are in fact true in context. The authors also deliver their message in two different forms, one that is easily understood as in the World Religion series and the more difficult of the three The Archeology of World Religions. During my readings, I tended to find more similarities than any differences in the three books. Though the style of writing was in fact different, the information contained in the books tended to compliment one another verses to contradict one another. At this point, I will refer to the several similarities that I found during my readings.

Both books, Confucianism World Religions and The Archeology of World Religions inform the reader about the earliest findings of the culture in the Shang Dynasty. Some of these findings included: "animal bones, oracles, and Shang dynasty bronze urns", (Hoobler, 20), and in The Archeology of World Religions, Mr. Finegan refers to the same type of "oracle bones" on page 328 of his book. The dates referred to about Confucius's life, and the spread of Confucianism are mentioned in the same way throughout both books. The title of the second "great" Confucian philosopher in the history of China belongs to Mencius, who was a strong follower of Confucianism.

While the works did compliment each other on their informational value, and presentation, I would now like to point out some differences in the books mentioned above. I found that during the reading of, The Archeology of World Religions, by Jack Finegan, the author took a historical look at the religion that began in China. In that, the information at times was not as interesting as the information contained in the World Religion series. Lengthy extracts concerning Taoism in The Archeology of World Religions, as well as containing extensive footnotes that were difficult to read due to the language used, such as on page 348. The three books used for my book review do in fact support each other.

The similarities are numerous and the differences too few. I believe these books are compatible with one another for use in a book review, however, having three books with two philosophies to review is can become a somewhat of a difficult task. I would like to state that the language used in all the books did in fact help, in the reading and the understanding of the material. In modern times, the religious practice of Confucianism and Taoism continues with many millions of people in modern Asia.

Both philosophies and religions have had a miraculous and storied history primarily in China. From the onset, China needed some form of guidance to give to the people and end conflict. Confucianism and Taoism contributed a way for China to achieve peace and return something to the people. "My signature below signifies that this work, in its entirety, is my own work and that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if found to be otherwise.".