MY WORLD VIEWS

My World Views

My World Views

The term "world view" is borrowed from the German word "weltanschauung." It means a person's fundamental "world outlook," or life perspective. It refers to differing perceptions of divinity, humanity and the rest of the universe. It represents our personal metaphysical outlook on life.

Some believe understanding one's personal worldview is important, because it is a main source of one's moral code, ethics and many other beliefs and if one lacks understanding of their own worldview and is not aware of the diversity of others views, one may often be mystified by those beliefs and this can lead to the ostracizing of those that don't hold the same convictions as ourselves. On the other hand some people are unaware that their worldview even exists and that these matters are only for the scholars and intellects. One may feel that if a person thinks the latter that that alone is part of what shapes their worldview (Ambrose, 2006).

In trying to understand our own worldviews and those of others we can see the process of people trying to make sense of their worlds and choices to be made in their lives. A perfect example of differing worldviews and the process by which people make sense of it would be the seemingly straightforward topic of abortion and the many conflicting opinions regarding this issue, some being pro and others anti, although it is not as cut and dry as that. This subject alone has brought out the very worst in some, and is we to believe if there is worst in someone that there is a best?

However it is important to note that the worldview we think we have, may not actually be what we think it is. Our worldview is usually embedded so deeply in our subconscious that one would have to reflect long and hard to come to any foregone conclusion. Usually our behavior and actions tell the truth of our worldviews even if, from time to time they may make liars of us.

When considering the worldviews of ourselves and others we need to examine and question our beliefs, our culture, our ethics and morality. Questions such as Who am I? Where am I going? What's it all about? Is there a god? How can I live and die happily?

Socrates felt so passionately about the value of self-examination that he closely scrutinized not only his own beliefs and values but those of others as well. More precisely, through his relentless questioning, he forced people to examine their own beliefs. He believed that the citizens of Athens were only sleepwalking through life, living only for money, power, and fame.

He said: “The unexamined life is not worth living”

James Sire defines a worldview as a basic set of beliefs and "concepts that work together to provide a more or less coherent frame of reference for all thought and action." In his book The Universe Next Door (p. 18) he asks the following: What is the source and nature ...