People have different mental concepts and different ways of
looking at the world. A worldview is a person’s mental concept on all of the world
and the whole of life or a system of philosophy relating to it. Worldview
literally means “a general view of the
world” or “philosophy of life.”
Every human being has a worldview. Most people do not even know they have one. A
worldview can be true about some things and not true about other things. Worldview
is the framework of beliefs, values and images within which a person makes
decisions and conducts the business of living. In other words our worldview not
only describes reality, but it also prescribes how we act and respond to every
aspect of life. The worldview is not only the content, but also the mode of
thinking about reality. Worldviews develop over the course of a lifetime and
are transmitted from generation to generation through such means as education,
family tradition, religious belief, political orientation and the mass media. Worldview
affects what one believe about God, marriage, politics, social structures,
environmental concern, educational requirements, economics, the raising of
children, food habits etc.
Scope of worldviews
Our worldviews help in determining our priorities in life.
Worldviews helps to explain our relationship to God, fellow human beings and
environment. Worldviews help oneself to assess the meaning of events. Worldviews
also helps to justify one’s actions.
“The ideas and beliefs we use to guide our actions. We use them to
explain cause and effect as we see them, and to give meaning to our experience.” -O’Connor, 1997.
Definition
The term ‘worldview’ is a mental framework through which
individuals and groups view the nature of reality, the nature and purpose of
human life, and the laws governing human relationships.
“A worldview constitutes an overall perspective on life that
sums up what we know about the world, how we evaluate it emotionally, and how
we respond to it volitionally” (Rudolf A. Makkreel 1999).
Phillips and Brown (1991) state that, “a worldview is, first
of all, an explanation and interpretation of the world” and second, “an
application of this view to life.”
The term ‘worldview’ or weltanschauung (German) was first used
by Immanuel Kant in his Critique of judgement, first
published in 1970. He combined two German words into one: welt which means “world”
and Anschauung,
which means, ‘conception’ ‘idea’, opinion’ or ‘view’.
Salient features of
worldview
The worldview is the overall perspective from which one sees
and interprets the world. Most worldviews are learned early in life and are not
easily changed. Worldview is intuitively developed and does not require
individuals to have higher or university education. Worldview is not one’s
point of view but it is much more than personal preference or opinion. Worldviews
evolve in response to critical examination and reflection. Every religion
reflects a worldview and every secular ideology reflects a worldview. Worldviews
are often varying among individuals as a result of cultural traditions and
experiences. Worldviews are ideal types. They are used for description rather
than prescription; for analysis rather than evaluation. The worldviews are shaped by our life
experiences which in turn reshape our approach to life. Religion, philosophy, ethics,
morality, science, politics and all other belief systems shape our worldview. Worldviews can be resources for understanding
and analysing conflicts when fundamental differences divide groups of people. Worldviews
are important determinants of risk perception. Worldviews shape all that we
think, do or consider to be normal or abnormal and acceptable or unacceptable and
trustworthy or unreliable. Worldviews can lead to beliefs, behaviour and
lifestyles that can work for or against environmental sustainability. The
analysis of one’s worldviews is a powerful starting point for examining belief
systems.
Characteristics of
worldviews
- Worldview is the truth claims that explain the world and reality. It is the sum total of what we believe about the world. It helps people make sense of the world.
- Worldview should be rational. It should not be contradictory.
- It should be supported by evidence. It should be consistent with what we observe.
- It should give a satisfying comprehensive explanation of reality.
- It should provide a satisfying basis for living.
Types of worldviews
Formal worldview
–is a major system of ideas that orders human hearts and mind.
Personal worldview
– is one-to-one relationship with the established formal worldviews.
Environmental
worldview – is collective beliefs and values that give people a sense of
how the world works, their role in the environment and right or wrong behavior
toward the environment.
Western worldview
–sees human as dominant over nature and feels natural resources should be used
for the benefit of humanity.
Key elements of
worldviews
Views of human
nature- basic beliefs about nature of people-e.g. people are naturally good or evil.
View of the good life
– the goals to strive for living one’s life – e.g. personal accomplishment,
peace of mind, love, adventure.
Equality with others
– belief about the status of some individuals or groups in relation to others –
e.g. social status and hierarchy.
Responsibilities to
others – beliefs about the extent of obligations to others – e.g.
self-centered or other- centered.
Relationship between
individual and the state (govt) – beliefs about the balance between
individual and collective rights – e.g. individual rights are more important
than the rights of the society.
Relationship of
humans with nature – beliefs about the way human beings should look on and
act toward the environment – e.g. preserving nature is more important than
using natural resources to support human activity.
Sources of ethical
wisdom – beliefs about the ultimate authority for ethical principles – e.g.
religion, God, science, natural rights.
Core areas of
worldviews
- God and the immaterial
- The meaning and purpose of life
- Human nature
- What we trust in the primary source of spiritual truth.
Factors affecting
worldviews
Ideas and knowledge
– what a group knows e.g. scientific, intellectual, technological, artistic and
spiritual knowledge.
Contact with other
groups – interactions between societies and between different groups in a
society.
Geography – where
a group lives: the climate, plants and animals, bodies of water and natural
resources.
Importance of
worldviews
Worldviews serve as the necessary foundation and framework
of our thoughts and actions. It is our belief about what is real and important
–belief about the unseen –the spiritual, the philosophical and valuable. Our
worldview will determine how we interpret our lives and the world around us. It
shapes how we think about everything. Everyone constructs ‘a worldview story’
to make sense of our lives. Different cultural contexts lead to the formation
of unique worldviews, beliefs, values, and assumptions, modes of social
conduct, behavior and expectations among individuals. Worldviews keep our lives coherent, giving
oneself a sense of meaning, purpose and connection. Worldviews create a context
for everything we do. Worldviews provide some purpose to a given cultural
system. It gives a paradigm of reality for a particular society. Worldviews
stimulate people’s imagination. Worldviews
have formative influence on the lives of individuals, communities, groups and
especially those in positions of leadership. Worldviews have a significant
influence on the overall health of an individual. Worldviews can influence
student learning and development in academic settings. Worldviews contain
something more than scientific information. Region is the cornerstone of
worldviews.
“Our worldview changes as our beliefs change. If you change your core
beliefs in your worldviews,then your
life will change drastically.”
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