The Axial Age: Shifts in Religious Thought

This chapter discusses the transformative period known as the Axial Age, focusing on significant changes in religious thought across various cultures, particularly within Judaism. It highlights the transition from oral traditions to written texts, the emergence of structured ethical frameworks, and the evolution of spirituality away from transactional views of divinity. Additionally, it explores the social and historical factors that influenced the accessibility and understanding of religious texts, especially in the context of post-exilic Judaism.