Where does value derived from?

Cultural Assumptions that Shaped Western Civilisation : Deriving Values from Four Different Epochs

In the second Millennium , Western Civilization has loomed large over the affairs of the globe . Today the European Union and the United States of America greatly influences the outcome of the world 's economy . It is therefore interesting to find out how Western Civilization developed from the dark waters of the ancients to the high-speed and high-technology environment of the present

This will attempt to show where inhabitants of the Western hemisphere derived their values in to have fundamental

cultural assumptions needed to build a civilization . It will be shown later that in each different epoch in its history the source of their values differ . From the very beginning the main source of their beliefs came from superstition , then it evolved into religion , and then moving forward to reason and finally in the principles derived from equality and liberty

In to show the trajectory of fundamental cultural assumptions as it evolved from the ancient times to the age of enlightenment , the proponent of this study decided to first present four generally accepted epochs in the history of Western Civilization and these are : 1 ) Ancient World 2 ) Medieval Age 3 ) Age of Renaissance and 4 ) The Enlightenment And then 4 major texts were chosen , each one a product of the four major milestones in Western history

Epic of Gilgamesh

Superstition may be a derogatory word to describe someone 's intellectual pursuit . But there is no other term that will best categorise the belief system that existed during the dawn of history The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story that attempts to understand the ancient world . And it is a tale full of gods and interaction between mortals and immortals . It is also a story that attempts to explain the working behind natural phenomenon experienced by the ancients

Superstition is the main source for their core values and from it they derive meaning for their existence . The main idea that one can gather from the text is that life on earth is just a prelude and that after death one will be brought to another place where the dead will see the gods that were the cause of blessing and curse on earth . In the Epic of Gilgamesh one cannot find assurance that there is purpose in their lives and that all good deeds are not done in vain . Gilgamesh tried with all his might to reverse the situation but at the end he failed as seen in the following adieu , O Gilgamesh this was the meaning of your dream You were given the kingship , such was your destiny , everlasting life was not your destiny (C V I ,

. 31 . Yet they continue to live life knowing that the gods can do whatever they wish and that death is final But they hope that good things wait for them and eternal bliss is possible if the gods favor them

It is good that the Epic of Gilgamesh...