BULACAN POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE

Bulihan, City of Malolos, Bulacan

Malolos Campus

Instructor : Mr. Jene T. Sotto, MAE

School Year/Term : 2019-2020/2nd semester
Subject Code : SSP 123
Subject Title : Social Science and Philosophy
Date Covered : March 30-31, 2020
BTVTED 1B – Monday and Friday /
BTVTED 1A/1C – Tuesday and Thursday
Topic : History and Development of Oriental Philosophy

I. INFORMATION SHEET
The Philosophy of Human Person of
Legalism
Zoroastrianism
Shintoism

1.Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, you are expected to:

1. learn appreciation for, different perspectives on traditional philosophical issues

2. develop and refine the ability to offer criticism of philosophical positions, form
their own educated positions on philosophical issues.

Introduction:

Philosophy begins with a sense of wonder. Human being wonders at God, the world
and his/her very being. Among the ancient Greek thinkers, philosophy was mainly a wonder at
the cosmic realities around them. However, in the medieval times, the focus of philosophy was
shifted to God.

Philosophy of Human Person could be roughly understood as an attempt to unify

disparate ways of understanding behaviour of humans as both creatures of their social
environments and creators of their own values. Although the majority of philosophers
throughout the history of philosophy can be said to have a distinctive ‘anthropology’ that
undergirds their thought, Philosophy of Human Person itself, as a specific discipline in
philosophy

Legalism

“Legalism exists when people attempt to secure righteousness in God’s sight by

good works. Legalists believe that they can earn or merit God’s approval by performing
the requirements of the law,” . A legalist believes that their good works and obedience
to God affects their salvation. Legalism focuses on God’s laws more than relationship
with God. It keeps external laws without a truly submitted heart. And legalism adds
human rules to divine laws and treats them as divine

A legalist believes that their good works and obedience to God affects their
salvation. Martin Luther sparked the Protestant Reformation in 1517 when he argued
that Christians are saved by faith and faith alone. This went against the Roman Catholic
understanding of salvation which claims salvation comes through both faith and our
obedience (or our good works).

The Teachings/beliefs of Legalism

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is a dualistic faith centered on a dualistic cosmology of good and evil

and an eschatology predicting the ultimate conquest of evil with theological elements of
henotheism, monotheism/monism, and polytheism .An ancient Persian religion that
may have originated as early as 4,000 years ago. Arguably the world’s first
monotheistic faith, it’s one of the oldest religions still in existence. Zoroastrianism
was the state religion of three Persian dynasties, until the Muslim conquest of
Persia in the seventh century A.D.
Zoroaster

The prophet Zoroaster (Zarathrustra in ancient Persian) is regarded as the

founder of Zoroastrianism, which is arguably the world’s oldest monotheistic
faith.

The teachings of Zoroastrianism

Shintoism

The original religion of japan is shinto, it is worshiping the forces of nature. meaning
the way of god, shinto has animistic and shamanistic beliefs that are based on respect for
kami.
Literally, kami means "that which is above men" or "superior to the human condition,"
and this term is often translated as "god" or "spirit." Its origins are lost in the mists of
time. According to myths, the goddess Izanami and Izanagi are the heavenly god
couple who gave birth to the archipelago. Amaterasu, the sun goddess, is the direct
ancestor of the emperor himself. Beyond the myths, Shinto tends to
make harmonious relations between human beings, nature, and kami.
The tradition identifies "eight hundred myriads', i.e. an infinite number. Although
ancestors or brave heroes of the past can be considered kami after their death, this
archaic cult deifies first the elements of nature. These deities, celestial and terrestrial, are
ubiquitous. They are guardians of a place, staying on a mountain, protecting a forest,
under a waterfall, nestled under a rock ...

Rites And Practices

Shinto has no founder. There is no dogma or moral code. This belief does not draw a
clear distinction between the sacred and the profane. Codified and theorized a little bit,
but it does not explain the world. The Kojiki ("Notes on old facts"), chronicles the
mythological origins of Japan, and is one of the cornerstones of Shinto. This ancient text,
written in 712, tells of the divine ancestry of the emperor, religion and history.
A set of practices and rituals, Shinto permeates many aspects of daily life. In cities and
the countryside, to reconcile with kami, the "possessor of land," and ensure his favor,
their is an altar dedicated to it. It is not uncommon to see a large Japanese company in a
small building dedicated to a kami. On the front of a building, a sacred
rope (the shimenawa) which embodies the purity of the place according to
the Shinto religion, protects the interior. At a Shinto wedding ceremony, the couple
solemnly drink sake, a heavenly drink in three cups of red lacquer exchanged three
times. This act seals their union. Rice wine is also deposited at the Shinto shrines,
characterized by their sacred portal (torii) to be offered to kami. Japanese honor them
more than they love them. In a Shinto shrine, the faithful wash their hands and rinse
their mouth with water from a long wooden ladle before praying, putting their hands
close to their face, bowing and meditating. Flowing water also remains a key element.
Essential before diving in the bath or in hot springs, purifying oneself by washing is an
expression of ancestral body purification rites that stress the importance of never being
soiled.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 3/SELF CHECK 20 items

I. Identification: Identify the term being referred to in the following statements

1 _________________ Arguably the world’s first monotheistic faith, it’s one of the
oldest religions still in existence
2 _________________ It exists when people attempt to secure righteousness in God’s sight
by good works.
3 _________________ The original religion of japan
4 _________________ Means "that which is above men" or "superior to the human
condition
5 _________________ He argued that Christians are saved by faith and faith alone
6 _________________ The ancient Persian name of the prophet Zoroaster , regarded
as the founder of Zoroastrianism,
7 _________________ The sun goddess, is the direct ancestor of the emperor himself
8 _________________ Chronicles the mythological origins of Japan, and is one of the
cornerstones of Shinto
9. _________________ Purifying oneself by _________ is an expression of ancestral body
purification rites that stress the importance of never being soiled.
10. _________________ A legalist believes that their good works and __________to God
affects their salvation.

II. Enumeration

a. Some teachings/beliefs of Legalism

1. ___________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________
b. b. Zoroastrianism’s symbolic ceremonies around a sacred fire
4. ___________________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________________________________
c. Some Shinto main teachings
7. ___________________________________________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________________________________________
9. ___________________________________________________________________________
10. ___________________________________________________________________________