Saturday, September 05, 2009

Worldview

The first days here we studied just what makes a worldview. A worldview is a perception of reality. Even if they are unconscious of it everyone has a worldview. Everyone's worldview answers these seven basic questions in one way or another. At first glance you might think they are easier to answer, but ponder them for awhile and consider your true underlying worldview.

- What is prime reality - what is really real? God, many gods, only the material world?
- What is external reality, that is, the world around us?
- What is a human being?
- What is death?
- What is knowledge?
- How do we know what is right and wrong?
- What is the meaning if human history?


Now, you might be able to come up with an answer for what your underlying beliefs about all this, but what really matters is your control beliefs. Control beliefs are the basic values and assumptions that shape your behavior. Although they should, your worldview and your control beliefs will not necessarily coincide. Your behavior will betray what you truly believe.

Culture is how worldview and control beliefs are played out in the larger society. Culture is what makes a community or civilization. Culture is somewhat confusing because it is a mixture of many different peoples beliefs. Culture shapes you. You shape culture. It works both ways. I am sure culture could be an entirely seperate post, or even a book, unto itself!

3 comments:

  1. I am a young earth creationist. Anyone who is not does not believe the Bible or God.

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  2. John, you are wrong. Has God given you the authority to judge men's souls and to make statements like "Anyone who is not[your missing a comma] does not believe the Bible or God." Such a statement as that is like a man who claims "I am a communist. Anyone who is not, does not believe in loving one another or in charity." Now obviously most non-communists would be very upset at such a rash statement (even if it true.)

    Now maybe you are a communist and believe my example statement is true. However, there are any number of ill thought out statements, such as that, which would make your blood boil. Please apologize for such a ludicrous statement.


    Ps. if you think Communism, Socialism, Marxism, Leninism, fascism, statism are good ideas, we should have a discussion. I always love exchanging ideas with people like that.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Strike the word "Ludicrous" and replace it with the word "arrogant."

    ReplyDelete