The Origins and Diversity of Axial Age Civilizations (Suny Series in Near Eastern Studies)

This book presents a new and original analysis of the great ancient civilizations, focusing on the breakthroughs and their institutionalization in Greece, Israel, China, and India. The conditions under which these civilizations developed are systematically explored. For comparative purposes, the civilization of Assyria, where such a breakthrough did not take place is analyzed. Attention is given to the transformation of modes of thought and symbolism. Special focus is brought to the development of the great religions and the perception of tension between the transcendental and mundane orders and between rulers and other elites. Published by State Univer sity of New York Press,Albany C> 1986 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information,address State University of New York Press,State University Plaza,Albany,N.Y.,12246 Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data The Origins and diversity of axial age civi lizations. (SUNY series in Near Eastern studies) "Papers presented .. . in a conference on the origins and diversity of axial age civilizations- the first of three conferences ... sponsored by the Werner-Rei mer Stiftung at Bad Homburg,the Truman Research Institute,and the Van Leer Jerusalem Foundation .. . January 4-8,1983,at the seat of the Werner-Reimer Stiftung [sic) at Bad Homburg"- Pref. Bibliography: p. Includes index. 1. Civilization,Ancient. 2. Comparative civilization. I. Eisenstadt,S. N. (Shmuel Noah),1923- 11. Werner-Reimers-Stiftung. Ill. Makhon le-mehkar 'al shem Heri S. Truman. IV. Mosad Van Lir bi-Yerusha layim. V. Series. CB311.0735 1986 930 86-14515 ISBN 0-88706-094-3 ISBN 0-88706-096-X (pbk.) Published by,State Univer sity of New York Press,Albany,C> 1986 State University of New York,All rights reserved,Printed in the United States of America,No part of this book may be used or reproduced,in any manner whatsoever without written permission,except in the case of brief quotations embodied in,critical articles and reviews.,For information,address State University of New York Press,State University Plaza,Albany,N.Y.,12246,Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data,The Origins and diversity of axial age civi lizations.,(SUNY series in Near Eastern studies),Papers presented .. . in a conference on the origins and diversity of axial age civilizations- the first of three conferences ... sponsored by the Werner-Rei mer Stiftung at Bad Homburg, the Truman Research Institute, and the Van Leer Jerusalem Foundation .. . January 4-8, 1983, at the seat of the Werner-Reimer Stiftung [sic) at Bad Homburg,- Pref.,Bibliography: p.,Includes index.,1. Civilization,Ancient. 2. Comparative civilization.,I. Eisenstadt,S. N. (Shmuel Noah),1923-,11. Werner-Reimers-Stiftung. Ill. Makhon le-mehkar,'al shem Heri S. Truman. IV. Mosad Van Lir,bi-Yerusha layim. V. Series.,CB311.0735 1986 930 86-14515,ISBN 0-88706-094-3,ISBN 0-88706-096-X (pbk.) Front Matter Half Title Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Contributors Preface Content The Axial Age Breakthroughs Their Characteristics and Origins The Origins of the Axial Age in Ancient Greece The Axial Age Breakthrough in Ancient Greece The Emergence of Second-order Thinking in Classical Greece Dynamics of the Greek Breakthrough: The Dialogue between Philosophy and Religion The Meaning of the Word (Body) in the Axial Age: An Interpretation of Plato's CRATYLUS 400c The Origins of the Axial Age in Ancient Israel-with a Comparative Look at Assyria The Axial Age Breakthrough in Ancient Israel Myth and Reality in Ancient Israel The Protest against Imperialism in Ancient Israelite Prophecy On Self-Consciousness in Mesopotamia Monarchy and the Elite in Assyria and Babylonia: The Question of Royal Accountability The Secondary Breakthroughs in Late Antiquity-Second Temple Judaism and Christianity The Secondary Breakthrough in Ancient Israelite Civilization The Second Commonwealth and Christianity Eschatology, Remythologization, and Cosmic Aporia Old Wine and New Bottles: On Patristic Soteriology and Rabbinic Judaism The Role of Christianity in the Depolitization of the Roman Empire Architects of Competing Transcendental Visions In Late Antiquity The Origins of the Axial Age in China and India The Axial Age Breakthrough in China and India Historical Conditions of the Emergence and Crystallization of the Confucian System Was There a Transcendental Breakthrough in China? The Structure and Function of the Confucian Intellectual In Ancient China The Historical Background of India's Axial Age Ritual, Revelation, and Axial Age Asvatthliman and Bt:hannadli: Brahmin and Kingly Paradigms in the Sanskrit Epic Some Observations on the Place of Intellectuals in Max Weber's Sociology, with Special Reference to Hinduism The Reflexive and Institutional Achievements of Early Buddhism Islam Introductory Remarks: Islam The Emergence of Islamic Civilisation Back Matter Notes Back Cover Edited By S.n. Eisenstadt. Papers Presented ... In A Conference On The Origins And Diversity Of Axial Age Civilizations--the First Of Three Conferences ... Sponsored By The Werner-reimer Stiftung At Bad Homburg, The Truman Research Institute, And The Van Leer Jerusalem Foundation ... January 4-8, 1983, At The Seat Of The Werner-reimer Stiftung At Bad Homburg--pref. Bibliography: P. 485-556.