What in the World is a Worldview?

Definition The Germans coined the term using Weltanschauung (world outlook) in the 1930s “A framework of ideas and beliefs through which an individual interprets the world and interacts with it”

Components of a World View Origins (Where did I come from?) Ontology (Who am I?) Purpose (Why am I here?) Epistemology (How do I know?) Morals and Ethics (What am I to do?) Ethics: What I ought to do Morals: What I actually do Aesthetics (What is good or beautiful?) Eschatology (Where am I going)

Getting a World View Education – Formal and informal Language Family and Friends Culture – Popular and High Philosophy Religion Experience

RICHARD DAWKINS, CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS, SAM HARRIS ATHEISM Or: Eternal Matter On: Collection of Matter P: None Ep: Experience M/E: Make a life A: Eye of the Beholder Es: Death RICHARD DAWKINS, CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS, SAM HARRIS

HINDUISM, BUDDHISM, NEW AGE, SPIRITISM, GNOSTICISM Pantheism Or: Eternal Spirit On: Spirit and matter P: Reintegration Ep: Internal knowledge M/E: Karma A: Spiritual Es: Reincarnation HINDUISM, BUDDHISM, NEW AGE, SPIRITISM, GNOSTICISM

Classical Paganism, Wiccan, Jehovah's Witness, Mormonism Polytheism Or: gods created On: matter and spirit P: Placate the gods Ep: Experience M/E: Cultural Code A: Nature/Images Es: Hades, Valhalla Classical Paganism, Wiccan, Jehovah's Witness, Mormonism

Judaism, Christianity, Islam Monotheism Or: Created On: Personhood P: Fellowship or Submission to God Ep: Revelation M/E: Revelation A: Accords with Revelation Es: Eternal Life Judaism, Christianity, Islam