Taught by Mark W. Muesse
Rhodes College
Ph.D., Harvard University

Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad four extraordinary sages who influenced world civilization more
deeply than any other human beings in history.

As just one measure of their importance, current rankings of the most influential people in history
consistently put Confucius, the Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad at or near the top of the list. Four
centuries after the rise of the scientific worldview, their influence in human affairs continues to
be fundamental, underscoring issues ranging from questions of ethics and justice to religious and
political conflicts to other issues that dominate today's headlines.

In the 21st century, much of humanity still looks to the lives, teachings, and actions of these four
sages for guidance on how to live, for their conceptions of morality, and for understanding the most
crucial human values.

Never merely historical figures, as models of human living they remain dynamically alive for
countless millions of people around the world, exemplifying the moral and spiritual precepts our
civilizations are built on. Taken together, their influence extends over most of the human population,
from Asia to the Middle East and from Europe to the New World.

No understanding of human life, individual or collective, could be complete without factoring in the
role and contribution of these history-shaping teachers.

Now, in Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad, award-winning Professor Mark W. Muesse of Rhodes
College takes you deep into the life stories and legacies of these four iconic figures, revealing the
core, original teachings, and thoughts of each, and shedding light on the historical processes that
underlie their phenomenal, enduring impact.

Download File Size:588.08 MB

---