WORLD VIEWS: WHAT IS TRUE? WHAT IS A WORLDVIEW? WORLD VIEWS: WHAT IS TRUE?

MEANING OF “WORLDVIEW” “An all-inclusive world-view or outlook. A somewhat poetic term to indicate either an articulated system of philosophy or a more or less unconscious attitude toward life and the world” (Hunter Mead, Types and Problems of Philosophy). “A set of presuppositions which we hold about the makeup of our world” (James Sire, Discipleship of the Mind).

MEANING OR WORLDVIEW… “A worldview is a set of presuppositions (or assumptions) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously) about the basic makeup of our world. Everyone has a worldview, whether he (or she) can explain it or not. It can be likened to a pair of glasses through which one views the world” (Jerry Solomon, Probe)

DESCRIPTION OF WORLDVIEW A Deeper Understanding of Worldview Includes…the sensing, thinking, knowing, acting self that exists in the milieu of a world or a universe…i.e., matter, energy, information.

BASIC TENETS AND QUESTIONS REALITY AND WORLDVIEW BASIC TENETS AND QUESTIONS

REALITY AND WORLDVIEW: BASIC TENETS Something exists. All people have absolutes. No statement can be both true and false at the same time (law of non-contradiction)… a statement that claims to be true cannot affirm and deny to “P” at the same time and with the same respect (e.g., blue and not blue). All people (though perhaps not claiming to be religious) exercise faith (or belief in/about something). This is one’s “bank” or “library” of basic assumptions.

REALITY AND WORLDVIEW: MAJOR QUESTIONS Why is there something rather than nothing (Ontology)? How do you know that you know (Epistemology)? How do you explain human nature (Anthropology)? How do you determine what is right and wrong (Ethics)? What is the meaning of history? What happens to a person at death?

WORLDVIEW IN CONTEXT The Self and its Worldview in the Context of the World (i.e. our senses of sight, sound, etc.; the ability to feel stimuli from the world around us in a process by which sensed stimuli and existing knowledge are transformed into modified knowledge).

WORLDVIEW IN CONTEXT… Based on the Notion of Self and its Interaction with the World, a Definition for Worldview Emerges… “A worldview is the set of beliefs about fundamental Aspects of Reality that ground and influence all one’s perceiving, thinking, knowing, and doing.”

WORLDVIEW AS ONE’S PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY The Elements of One’s Worldview, the Beliefs about Certain Aspects of Reality, become One’s…

Epistemology Beliefs about the nature and sources of knowledge Metaphysics Beliefs about the ultimate nature of Reality Cosmology Beliefs about the origins and nature of the universe Teleology Beliefs about the meaning and purpose of the universe; its inanimate elements and inhabitants Theology Beliefs about the nature and existence of God Anthropology Beliefs about the nature and purpose of Man in general and, oneself in particular Axiology Beliefs about the nature of value, what is good (or, bad), what is right (or, wrong)

ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS EPISTEMOLOGY ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

EPISTEMOLOGICAL ISSUES What is Knowledge? What is Knowing? What is the Basis for Knowledge? What is the Difference between Knowledge and Faith? Is Certainty Possible?

EPISTEMOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS Your epistemology, what you believe about knowledge, affects what you accept as valid evidence and therefore what you’re willing to believe about particulars.

BELIEFS AND IMPLICATIONS METAPHYSICS BELIEFS AND IMPLICATIONS

METAPHYSICAL BELIEFS What is the Ultimate Nature of Reality? What is Truth? What is the Ultimate Test for Truth?

METAPHYSICAL IMPLICATIONS Your metaphysical beliefs (assumptions) will be affected depending upon whether or not you are a naturalist, admit to a spiritual dimension to life or to an ultimate Reality (God), or depending on your approach to truth.

BELIEFS AND IMPLICATIONS COSMOLOGY BELIEFS AND IMPLICATIONS

COSMOLOGICAL BELIEFS What is the Origin of the Universe? What is the Origin of life…Man?

COSMOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS Your cosmological beliefs will dictate whether or not you consider the universe is the result of chance, whether or not life has meaning and significance and in turn human thoughts and actions; i.e., “Does my life have meaning and significance in the Big Picture or Grand Scheme of things?”

BELIEFS AND IMPLICATIONS TELEOLOGY BELIEFS AND IMPLICATIONS

TELEOLOGICAL BELIEFS Does the Universe have a Purpose? If the Universe has a Purpose, whose Purpose is it ? What is the Purpose of the Universe?

TELEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS Your teleological assumptions (beliefs, convictions) will be influenced by whether or not you think you are accountable to Someone-thing higher than yourself; whether or not your consider your life as in conformance to a Plan.

BELIEFS AND IMPLICATIONS THEOLOGY BELIEFS AND IMPLICATIONS

THEOLOGICAL BELIEFS Is there a God? What is God’s Nature? What is the Relationship of God to the Material Universe? What is the Relationship of God to Man?

THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS Your theological beliefs will affect your sense of purpose and ultimately your reactions to events (behavior), interpretation of events (outlook), or your sense of obligation to or need for a relationship with God (Other).

BELIEFS AND IMPLICATIONS ANTHROPOLOGY BELIEFS AND IMPLICATIONS

ANTHROPOLOGICAL BELIEFS What is Man? What is Man’s Place in the Universe? Does Man have a Free Will? What ought Man to Do? Is Man Basically Good or Evil?

ANTHROPOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS Your anthropological beliefs will affect whether or not you consider yourself and others as mere mechanistic elements of the universe, or as a stewards of God’s creation; whether or not you are a moral agent with the capacity for right and wrong and needing to look to Someone-thing higher for forgiveness, redemption and moral strength.

BELIEFS AND IMPLICATIONS AXIOLOGY BELIEFS AND IMPLICATIONS

AXIOLOGICAL BELIEFS What is Value? What Kinds of Value are There? Is Value Objective or Relative? Is Value Absolute or Relative? What is the Source of Value? What is the Highest Good? What is Right?

AXIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS It is impossible to overstate the importance of your axiology in determining your behavior. It is the foundation for all of your conscious judgments and decisions and therefore the basis for all purpositive thought and action (related to designed activity, plans). Although some acts are reflexive or instinctive (not ascribed to a conscious reference to your beliefs), any action based on even the most cursory reflection has its foundation in your standards of what is good or bad, right or wrong.

CONCLUSIONS In summary, your worldview is the set of beliefs about fundamental aspects of Reality that ground and influence all your perceiving, thinking, knowing, and doing. Your worldview consists of your epistemology, your metaphysics, your cosmology, your teleology, your theology, your anthropology, and your axiology. Each of these subsets of your worldview is highly interrelated with an affects virtually all of the others.

Epistemology Beliefs about the nature and sources of knowledge Metaphysics Beliefs about the ultimate nature of Reality Cosmology Beliefs about the origins and nature of the universe Teleology Beliefs about the meaning and purpose of the universe; its inanimate elements and inhabitants Theology Beliefs about the nature and existence of God Anthropology Beliefs about the nature and purpose of Man in general and, oneself in particular Axiology Beliefs about the nature of value, what is good (or, bad), what is right (or, wrong)

THEISM, NATURALISM, PANTHEISM THE MAJOR WORLD VIEWS THEISM, NATURALISM, PANTHEISM

GOD Man THEISM Monotheism Creation Ex Nihilo Supernaturalism Revelation Man’s Nature Man’s Need Man’s Destiny

Naturalism Culture Modernism Postmodernism Evolution Autonomy Human Reason Science Postmodernism Truth is culturally based Reality if in the mind of the beholder We can’t think independently because we are defined by our culture There is no “trans-cultural objectivity” There is no progress. Nothing is ever proven.

PANTHEISM Monism god Pantheism Human Divinity Cosmic Consciousness Reincarnation Moral Relativism god

WORLDVIEW TESTS Consistent? Coherent? Comprehensive? Correspondence?