Impact of Syncretism Analysis

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Syncretism
Impact on Civilizations
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Syncretism refers to the merging of two or more ideas in any discipline in order to symbolize unity. Syncretism is therefore common in religious philosophy, religion, theology and mythology. The true essence of syncretism is to represent the underlying unity and similarity in different points of view. Syncretism hence plays a crucial role in providing the relationship between different schools of thought in any discipline. The concept has played a crucial role in the development of religion, philosophy and mythology in the past. Syncretism was very relevant to the development of several civilizations that have existed. The roman civilization was to a great extend influenced by syncretism in the manner in which religion and philosophy was practiced. Syncretism also had a huge impact on the American civilization with the other civilizations around the world. The aim of this paper is to take an analytical look at syncretism and the impact it had on civilization.

Syncretism

Syncretism is the reconciliation of opposite perspectives and schools of thought with the intention of manifesting the inherent unity among them. Syncretism is more pronounced in theology, religion, philosophy and politics. Syncretism also involves forms of art, music, culture and literature (Bova 64). Through the combination of several perspectives, syncretism provides better meaning to the relevant disciplines. Syncretism, especially when used in literature, plays a significant role in the understanding of concepts. This is one of the reasons why syncretism was very synonymous in the many civilization that ever existed.

Impact on Civilizations

Syncretism had a lot of impact on the roman civilization, this occurred in several forms through which syncretism was applied. As a result, several events and occurrences of the roman civilization can be attributed to syncretism. During the roman civilization there was great fusion between the different religions that existed at the time. In this way even religious views that were opposite and contradictory to one another worked together in harmony (Shaw & Stewart 44-50). The situation can fully be attributed to syncretism through which divergent religious view could be merged together to provide a similar meaning. It is against this background that Christianity and the paganism coexisted side by side in Rome. Religious practices that were attributed to paganism found their way into Christianity. Apart from worshiping practices, syncretism also affected the religious doctrine that was preached in Rome. Paganism fused together with Christianity even in matters that were considered contradictory. For instance Christianity believed in the sovereign God while the pagans believed in idolatry. However, certain aspects of idolatry were fused together to come up with Catholic Church. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church was a religious merger between paganism and Christianity. It is from here that Christians adopted roman calendars and practices. Unity and harmony were found in the two divergent religious thoughts by syncretism.

In Greece, syncretism was essential especially in the aspect of religion. It was through syncretism that Greek paganism was developed from the merger of several religious views. For instance the Hellenistic culture was a product of syncretism. This was dominant during the era of Alexander the great. Through syncretism Amun who was a god from Egypt became Zeus Ammon. This happened as a result of Alexander’s soul searching. The Hellenistic culture had developed the concept of adopting gods who were different with their own. Through syncretism, they reconciled these gods withy their own religious beliefs. The American romanticism can be described in many ways. As such there is no formal definition of the concept. However, American romanticism represents the period in America when literature and art experienced a revolutionary change. This was a movement that began in the 1800 and lasted up to the time of the civil war. During this time literature and art had distinct features (Spielvogel 87). The expression of emotion of fear, doom, love and romance as well as the portrayal of the universe as incomprehensible and mysterious were just some of the characteristics of the American romantics. During this period, a number of authors and writers existed and their works represented the changes that were taking place in the time. Edgar Alan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Emily Dickson, Walt Whitman and Fredrick Douglas were prominent writer during this time.

American romanticism was a literary movement that prevailed in America during that period of time. The movement cannot be described fully since it entails a number of activities that preceded and preceded one another. Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Emily Dickson, Walt Whitman and Fredrick Douglas were great American writers whose works were significant in the development of American literature. All these were poets and to a great extend influenced each other. Edgar Allan Poe for instance was a writer of the romanticism which came before the era of transcendentalism.

The movement underwent evolution in sequences from its beginning to the conclusion. However it can be said to be a period of literary movement that involved philosophy, religion and politics. American literary movements originated from the movement in Europe. The movement dates back from the early 1800s till the time of the civil war. This period was symbolized by freedom and authority in literature. Individualism and expression of emotion was rampant throughout the movement. As a result the American romanticism has a number of characteristics. The features represented the changes that took place during the course of the movement. Expression of emotion was a chief characteristic of the American literature that prevailed during this time. For instance, The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe was characterized by the expression of emotion (Jacob et al 176). Syncretism consequently had a huge impact on Christianity as a whole. Syncretism in Christianity is well captured in the fusion of paganism in its practices. At the same time, in the earlier centuries Christianity included the philosophy from Greek religion in its comprehension of God. Through syncretism the concept of god was perceived familiar in Christianity as it is in Greek religion. The contradictory views of religion were perceived as similar considering the syncretism merging of religious perspectives.

Conclusion

Syncretism refers to the merging of different perspectives with the aim of presenting unity among them. Syncretism has played a very important role in world civilization. To a great extend, syncretism has covered the concepts of religion and philosophy. In roman civilization, syncretism played a central role in religion as well as philosophy. In the American civilization the role of syncretism was more pronounced in literature. In Greece syncretism was prevalent in religion. The paper has taken an analytical look at the whole aspect of syncretism. The paper had a detailed look at the essence of syncretism as well as the use of syncretism in the several civilizations that existed. The paper thus found out that syncretism was more pronounced in religion than any other discipline. Therefore syncretism had a huge impact on several civilizations as discussed in the paper.

Works Cited

Bova, Russell. Russia and Western civilization: cultural and historical encounters. London: M. E. Sharpe, 2003.

Jacob, James et al. Western Civilization: Ideas, Politics, and Society. Washington: Cengage Learning, 2008.

Shaw, Rosalind & Stewart, Charles. Syncretism/anti-syncretism: the politics of religious synthesis. New York: Routledge, 1994.

Spielvogel, Jackson. Western Civilization: Alternate Volume: Since 1300. Washington: Cengage Learning, 2008.

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Impact of Syncretism Analysis

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