History Homework.

How did people across the globe begin to understand themselves in relation
to the natural world and to the unseen realms beyond?

Many early peoples believed that the events around them were controlled by greaters beings,
and logically they sought to understand these beings. A good example of this would be the
early Japanese belief system of Shinto, which told that natural things like trees and rivers
had a kind of consciousness, and also had supernatural powers. In this belief system,
these beings were known as "Kami" and the early Japanese thought it necessary to appease
the Kami with rituals. The idea that spirits of nature existed and dictated what happened was
not unique to the Japanese however, in many other places, including the America's, shamans
were tasked with communing with the spirits, and many of these people wielded considerable
power.

What accounts for the emergence of early philosophical and ethical traditions?

As civilizations grew more advanced, and much larger, they needed to find ways to work with
other people, and to set up successful governments. Some people thought that they could fix problems
with relations, and began trying to help others to understand their ideas. Many philosophies and morals
arose from this want to be successful, and although some suggested the same things, others varied
wildly. Although now many of the philosophies and schools of thought are widely known, when the ideas
first came out, they were controversial, and the followers were a tiny minority. The general populace
followed ideas that were more traditional, and radical new ideas were not appreciated.

How did Hinduism, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism influence the religious philosophies
of Buddhism (ca 500 BCE), Christianity (ca 100 CE), and Islam (ca 600 CE)?

Many religions were heavily influenced by native views, and by philosophies. Zoroastrianism especially
influenced many religions with its idea that your acts are judged, and your afterlife is different depending
on your choices in life. Judaism also was heavily influential, not only with the idea of an afterlife based on
actions, but also because of it introducing the idea of a monotheistic religion. All three of the given religions
were also influenced in the idea of being good to receive good, and that morals and ethics were important.
Another idea that came primarily from Judaism is that there was only one God, and that he was all powerful,
and all loving.