Ways of Thinking: West Asia (Middle East)

Image by Jason McCartney, Jill Malone's CIS 246/Art 247 Photoshop class (S04)

Mentality
others lack unity: Christian and Jewish societies not as enlightened because they have the same god but don't recognize Muhammed as the final prophet; other cultures disorganized, have no unifying force

Religion
Islam: (one god, one text) primary, obligations include faith, prayer, charity, pilgramage
Christianity and Judaism: seen by Muslims as "people of the book", independent if obey Islamic law

Society
stratified but mobile class structure, acceptance of both rich and poor

Economy
producer of animals, food, texts: books, grain, camels, horses, herd animals, fruit
imports: technology, food, textiles

Gender Roles
based on public protection women protected by men and social traditions from inappropriate contact

Philosophy
rational scientific tradition but also based on Islam: Islamic thinking based on hospitality (must take in and feed strangers), sharing wealth (must give to beggars) and doing the will of Allah (God)

History
linear in Judeo-Christian tradition (see Europe) if rules of Islam and advice of Muhammed followed