WORLDVIEW
How Now Shall We Live?
By Chuck Colson
What is a Worldview?
The sum total of our beliefs about the world, the big
picture that directs our daily decisions and actions.
Our major task in life is to discover what is true and live
in step with that truth
Every worldview can be measured by the way it answers
three fundamental questions
The Questions
Where did we come?
Who are we?
Why are we here?
REALITY AND WORLDVIEW: BASIC
TENETS
1.
2.
3.
4.
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 ones bank
or library of basic assumptions.
REALITY AND WORLDVIEW:
MAJOR QUESTIONS
1.
Why is there something rather than nothing
(Ontology)?
2.
How do you know that you know
(Epistemology)?
3.
How do you explain human nature
(Anthropology)?
4.
How do you determine what is right and
wrong (Ethics)?
5.
What is the meaning of history?
6.
What happens to a person at death?
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 fundamen
fundame
Aspects of Reality that ground and influence all
ones perceiving, thinking, knowing, and doing.
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)
What is Truth?
Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with
that which is, or has been, or shall be
Truth is Reality
Insanity is losing touch with reality
Believing the lie is real
Truth:
Objective vs. Subjective
Objective
Truths that never
change inspite of
ones feelings.
From a Source
outside of ones
self
Subjective
One constructs
their own
opinion of what
is right or wrong
Subjectivists are
those who deny
objective truths
See handout
Contemporary Philosophies
Secular humanism
Materialism
Atheism
Individualism
Capitalism
Communism/socia
lism
Hedonism
Nihilism
Existentialism
Moral relativism
Religious
indifferentism
Agnosticism
Utilitarianism
Secular Humanism
Man is the ultimate universal authority of all.
+man is great, man is important
- ignores source of original authority of God, ignores
something greater
Materialism
Happiness is based on money & possessions (acquisition
our primary purpose)
+ we need things to survive
- things cant love us back
Atheism
Denial of Gods existence
+ we are responsible for our own actions and choose our
own fate
- no meaning to our existence
Individualism
We should be the primary concern of our own lives/selfsufficient
+ builds self reliance and confidence
- self-centred, ignore others
Capitalism
Focuses on pursuit of wealth/profit
+ promotes individual success
- could deteriorate into greed
Communism/socialism
Aims to have the group meet the needs of all
+ cooperation and communal concern
- suppresses the dignity of the indv., could suppress
initiative and motivation
Hedonism
Constant pursuit of physical pleasure
+ good to have fun
- gluttony, avoid unpleasant responsibilities
Nihilism
Nothing is important/life ends at death, questions the
worth of our actions
+motive more valuable than action
- can lead to apathy and despair
What we do in life, echoes in eternity
-Maximus on Gladiator
Existentialism
We are isolated from others in our experiences.
+ we are unique
- if true, then how do we relate to others?
Moral relativism
We create our own right and wrong
+we decide the right to follow
- no moral standards
** Christians believe we discover right and wrong
through revelation, we do not invent it.
Agnosticism
Doubt the existence of God
+ we must ask questions and find God for ourselves
- unwilling to take leap of faith
Leap is needed because belief in God cant be based on
facts alone, it requires relationship.
Ex. Marriage, Flying
One More Philosophy:
Utilitarianism
judges the usefulness of every and any human
activity
1. Useful is what ever is worthwhile, gives
pleasure/comfort and excludes pain/discomfort.
2. The danger of it all is when the principle of
usefulness is applied to people. Some people can
be termed useless, burdens, or discomforts and
then discarded.
3. If a person is used in a negative sense ex.
Exploited worker, prostitute, one night stand does
this not attack the dignity of the person.
4. Christianity and the natural law are opposed to
the negative use of the person because it subjects
one to being abused, violated, and possibly killed.
Ex. Elderly, handicapped, unborn.
Platos Parable of the Cave
The Natural Law
that rule of right and wrong which our reason can
perceive.
Love is within us from God
Humanism
having an interest in the good of humanity
1. Christian humanism includes God in thought and
action
2. Secular humanism excludes God from thought and
action
**We believe in life before death Cause Canada
mission statement
Case Study: Philosopher
Fred Nietzsche
1. German Philosopher in the 1800s
2. Famous for saying God is dead
3. he said this because of watching the
lives of Christians who he thought only
lived for heaven, neglecting earthly
responsibilities.
4. The Christian God, with his arbitrary
commands and prohibitions, would no
longer stand in the way, so human beings
might stop turning their eyes toward a
supernatural realm and begin to
acknowledge the value of this world.
Related to Practical Atheism belief, but
no actions
Christian Goal in Life
1. Ultimate to prepare for heaven (meeting God and
our true selves)
2. Proximate (immediate) to use this time on earth to
love God, neighbour, and self. All are important, even
to love ourselves.
Ex. The two goals are very connected, remember
Maximus quote.
