Worldview Considerations

What is a Worldview?
A worldview is a set of beliefs, attitudes, and values that one holds consciously and unconsciously about the world, God, the universe, humanity, morality, death, history, and the future. The main function of one's worldview is to provide answers to life's questions. One's worldview should answer the following questions:
  1. What is ultimate reality?
  2. What is the definition of humanity?
  3. What is the meaning and purpose for life?
  4. What is the basis for morality?
  5. Is there life after death?
  6. How do we know anything at all?
Inclusive worldview thinking considers that all worldviews approach the same goal through different means. There are no false worldviews. It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you sincerely believe it. Exclusive worldview thinking denies propositions (truth claims) that are contary to its own assertions. Only one worldview can be right.
 
How Do We Evaluate A Worldview?
Based on an individual's inability to know everything, one must acknowledge limitations of knowledge while at the same time recognizing that through multiple disciplines it is possible to know truth within varying degrees: possible, plausible, probable (beyond reasonable doubt) and certain.
 
Verification in History
Recognizing that history is a reliable interpretation of what has occurred in the past, can we say we have good historical reasons for believing particular events?   
 
Verification in Philosophy
  • Test of Coherence or Consistency - Does a proposition contradict itself in any way? Does this claim make sense? Are the supporting reasons logical?
  • Test of Correspondence - Are claims in agreement with empirical data and what is known of the real world?
  • Pragmatic Test - Does a proposition work in reality? Do the facts of our experience fit practically with the proposition?
Verification in Science
As the scientist begins with presuppositions, some theory, so does a worldview. Worldview theories may be tested experimentally by living consistently on the basis of those beliefs and observing whether the relevant evidence or observable facts fit best with the theory.
 
Additional Verification
 
  • Test of Adequacy - Does the worldview satisfy the questions it claims to answer? (Compare to pragmatic tests)
  • Subjectivity Test - How does the worldview make one feel?
What are the Implications?
Inital beliefs are inherited through family, cultural conditioning, etc. Confrontation with worldviews different from one's own stirs questions that need to be responded to with reasonable explanations. It is possible that worldview beliefs may be sincerely held but sincerely wrong (believing that the world is square and flat). Deliberate worldview thinking is built upon reasonable evidence that is lived out consistently through deliberate action.
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