Jesus's Teachings: Moral and Ethical

Empires: Why Do They Form?

For one thing, in order for a civiliation to develop into a thriving society, let alone an empire, it must meet some geographical requirements. For one thing, rivers are a huge factor that help empires form. They allow trade, transportaion, agriculture, and the spread of ideas across a large area. For example, the Chinese Empire formed between the Yellow and Yangtzee Rivers, allowing the vast spread of goods, people, and ideas. In addition, being located near a sea or ocean allows for long-distance sea trade. India is a prime example of this kind of empire. Being located on a peninsula allowed the empire to engage in vast sea trade and grow into an empire. Additionally, a large network of roads helps a civilization embark in trade and the spread of ideas. Of course, the Roman Empire was famous for its many roads. In conclusion, geogrpahical features allow empires to grow along with the spread of trade and culture throughout and area.

Wikipedia: The New Textbook?

In my opinion, Wikipedia is not a suitable substitute for a textbook, but it does have its pros. While it may be a lot more convenient simply typing in a topic rather than looking it up in a massive book, you don't know how accurate the information is. But then again, some of the information may come straight from the source and may be even more accurate than a textbook. For example, an actual Buddhist could be the one writing the article about Buddhism, therefore it is probably more accurate. But another problem with Wikipedia is that has so much information, linking to different articles. For instance, you could start reading about Buddhism but somehow ending up reading an article about Disney World simply by cliking on the different related articles. One pro about the textbook is that only relevant information is presented, so you know exaclty wat to study for a test.

In conclusion, I think that Wikipedia articles are helpful to read after you read the textbook. After reading about Buddhism in the textbook, you could skim the Wikipedia article for additional information. That way, you already know what information is relevant to the chapter, so you aren't reading about unrelated topics. Although both Wikipedia and a textbook both have their pros, the traditional textbook is the more helpful, reliable, and useful source of information.

Battle, Rebirth, and Immortality

According to the Bhagavad Gita, the mortal body is everlasting. So wouldn't that mean it's immortal? Not exactly. Unlike the teaching of Zarathustra, which relfects upon the belief that doing good deeds in life will win you immortality, the Bhagavad Gita teahces that you will continue to be reborn. One will go into new bodies almost in the same sense that one changes clothes. One does not go to a heaven or paradise to live as an immortal, but one's "lives" never end. Additionlly, the Bhagavad Gita repetitively refers to a "righteous battle" where it does not matter whether one wins or loses; if you win you continue living your current life, if you die you begin a new one. It teachs that it is your actions themselves that matter, not the means behind them. This is different from Confucius teachings, believing that people can always improve based on their motives in life. To use a modern example, according to the Bhagavad Gita, if you were to find return a lost cat to its owner, the fact that you did this is all that matters. It doesn't matter whether you did this simply out of the goodness of your heart or your selfish desire for the cash reward, which is what Confucius teachings are concerned with.

How do you define a "good" blog post?

In my opinion, length doesn't matter. As long as you prove your point well and get your point across, you have a good blog post, even if it is only three sentences long. And let's face it: no one wants to read a five-paragraph blog post. Vocabulary and grammar are important for more formal blog posts, but they shouldn't be huge factors that drastically influence a person's grade for a blog post (this is the internet, after all, and shorthand is used very frequently). In addition, good blog posts aren't cliffhangers; they don't leave you wondering "What did they mean by that?" or "I still don't get it." They should leave the reader thinking "Wow, I get it now!" A 3-point blog post meetsall this criteria, while a 2-point blog post doesn't quite match up to this criteria. They may leave the viewer thinking "I kind of see their point, but I'm still a bit confused." 1-point blog posts don't answer the original question and they don't get the point across. 0-pont blog posts are almost non-existant. Unless the post is completely off-topic, the fact that a person simply stated their point should earn them a 1. Again, blog posts aren't formal works of writing and should not be treated as such.

Book I. 5: The Master said, “In guiding a state of a thousand chariots, approach your duties with reverence and be trustworthy in what you say; avoid excesses in expenditure and love your fellow men; employ the labor of the common people only in the right seasons.”

In my opinion, this selection from The Analects would be useful to any government, including modern America. The selection basically says that when being in power over a large number of people, treat them with respect and be truthful and trustworty, do not excessively spend money on yourself and treat everyone as an equal, and do not overwork people for no reason; have them exert themselves only when necessary. These values are important today and are ideal for government leaders. Many government officials today are corrupt and untrutworthy. These valused urge against it, and government officials should listen. If a leader is not trustworthy, they will lose the respect of the many people looking up to them. In addition, some government leaders excessively spend money on themselves, and many wealthy Americans don't pay taxes. If wealthy Americans don't over excess, America's economy may not be where it is today. These moral values are fitting for anyone, but if America's government leaders follow them, America could be a better-governed country where everyone is treated equally.