The Axial Age

1
The Axial Age
2
The Axial Age

• German philosopher Karl Jaspers coined the term
  the Axial Age to describe the period from 800 BCE
  to 200 BCE, during which, according to Jaspers,
  similarly revolutionary thinking appeared in
  China, India and the West
• He argued that during the Axial Age "the
  spiritual foundations of humanity were laid
  simultaneously and independently... And these are
  the foundations upon which humanity still
  subsists today"
• He saw in these developments in religion and
  philosophy a striking parallel without any
  obvious direct transmission of ideas from one
  region to the other, having found no recorded
  proof of any extensive communication between
  Ancient Greece, the Middle East, India and China
• Axial Age also gave birth to philosophy as a
  discipline
• Jaspers described the Axial Age as "an
  interregnum between two ages of great empire, a
  pause for liberty, a deep breath bringing the
  most lucid consciousness"
• Jaspers was particularly interested in the
  similarities of thought of the Age's great
  religious and philosophical figures, which
  included an engagement in a quest for human
  meaning, respect for individual liberty and the
  birth of the belief in the fundamental equality
  of all human beings

3
Mikmaq Creation Story By Stephen J. Augustine

• Gisoolg Great Spirit Creator (no gender)
• Nisgam The Sun. Giver of life. Created by
  Gisoolg
• Ootsitgamoo The Earth
• Glooscap 1st man
• Nogami his grandmother
• Netaoansom his nephew
• Neganogonimgooseesgo his mother
• Ektjimpisun Most powerful spirit medicine