DOCSLIB.ORG

Six Primary Worldviews

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Six Primary Worldviews Six Primary Worldviews Theism is the most widely accepted worldview in the United States, with approximately 67% of Americans identifying as Christians, 2% as Jewish and 1% as Muslim (see Statistica). Even so, few Americans have consciously developed a specific worldview, and many of them embrace various aspects of pantheism, naturalism, humanism and postmodernism. Pantheism is the dominate worldview throughout Asia, and polytheism is prevalent in areas of the world that are predominantly tribal. Many aspects of pantheism and polytheism overlap, so the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. (Download PDF with live URL links at www.rw360values.org/6worldviews.) Reality Humankind Truth Values Theism An infinite, personal God exists. He Humankind is the unique creation Truth about God is known through Moral values are the objective Christianity (More) created a finite, material world. Reality of God. People were created "in revelation. Truth about the expression of a supernatural and Judaism (More) is both material and spiritual. The the image of God," which means material world is gained via absolute moral being and therefore universe as we know it had a beginning that we are personal, eternal, revelation and the five senses in remain constant over time. Islam (More) and will have an end. spiritual and biological. conjunction with rational thought. Pantheism Only the spiritual dimension exists. All Humankind is one with ultimate Truth is an experience of unity Ultimate reality is impersonal, so Buddhism else is illusion. Spiritual reality, reality. Thus man is spiritual, with "the oneness" of the pantheistic thinkers believe that Hinduism Brahman, is eternal, impersonal, and eternal, and impersonal. Man's universe. Truth is beyond all there is no real distinction between Taoism unknowable. It is possible to say that belief that he is an individual is rational description. Rational good and evil. "Unenlightened" illusion. thought as it is understood in the New Age Consciousness everything is a part of God, or that God behavior is that which fails to is in everything and everyone. West cannot show us reality. understand essential unity. More on worldview Polytheism The world is populated by spirit beings Humankind is a creation of the Truth about the natural world is Moral values take the form of taboos, Spiritism, Animism who govern what goes on. Gods and gods like the rest of the creatures discovered through the shaman which are things that irritate or anger Thousands of Religions demons are the real reason behind on earth. Tribes or races often have figure who has visions telling him various spirits. Taboos are different "natural" events. Material things are real a special relationship with some what the gods and demons are from the idea of "good and evil" More on worldview but have spirits associated with them gods who protect them and can doing and how they feel. because it is just as important to avoid and, therefore, can be interpreted punish them. irritating evil spirits as it is good ones. spiritually. Naturalism The material universe is all that exists. Humankind is the chance product Truth is usually understood as No objective values or morals exist. Atheism Reality is "one- dimensional." There is of a biological process of evolution. scientific proof. Only that which Morals are individual preferences or Agnosticism no such thing as a soul or a spirit. Man is entirely material. The can be observed with the five socially useful behaviors. Even social Everything can be explained on the human species will one day pass senses is accepted as real or true. morals are subject to evolution and Existentialism basis of natural law. out of existence. change. More on worldview Humanism Emphasizes the value and agency of Humankind is part of nature and Truth may be found through Values are derived and steadily Marxism human beings, individually and has emerged as the result of a science (critical thinking and improved from a philosophy of More on worldview collectively, and relies on rationalism continuous evolutionary process. empiricism) and philosophy. utilitarianism, ethical naturalism or and evidence over the transcendent or His total personality bears the evolutionary ethics. supernatural. imprint of the social and cultural society surrounding him. Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through Humans are nodes in a cultural Truths are mental constructs Values are part of our social More on worldview our language and cultural "paradigm." reality—they are a product of meaningful to individuals within a paradigms as well. Tolerance, Therefore, reality is "socially their social setting. The idea that particular cultural paradigm. They freedom of expression, inclusion and constructed." people are autonomous and free do not apply to other paradigms. refusal to claim to have the answers is a myth. Truth is relative to one's culture. are the only universal values. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • An Ethnographic Study of Mystics, Spirits, and Animist Practices in Senegal Peter Balonon-Rosen SIT Study Abroad
    SIT Graduate Institute/SIT Study Abroad SIT Digital Collections Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection SIT Study Abroad Spring 2013 Out of this World: An Ethnographic Study of Mystics, Spirits, and Animist Practices in Senegal Peter Balonon-Rosen SIT Study Abroad Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection Part of the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons, and the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Balonon-Rosen, Peter, "Out of this World: An Ethnographic Study of Mystics, Spirits, and Animist Practices in Senegal" (2013). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 1511. https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/1511 This Unpublished Paper is brought to you for free and open access by the SIT Study Abroad at SIT Digital Collections. It has been accepted for inclusion in Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection by an authorized administrator of SIT Digital Collections. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Out of this World: An Ethnographic Study of Mystics, Spirits, and Animist Practices in Senegal Balonon-Rosen, Peter Academic Director: Diallo, Souleye Project Advisor: Diakhaté, Djiby Tufts University American Studies Major Africa, Senegal, Dakar “Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for National Identity and the Arts: Senegal, SIT Study Abroad, Spring 2013” Table of Contents Abstract 3 Introduction 4 Research Methods 5 Validating Findings 7 Ethical Issues 7 What is Animism? 8 Marabouts 9 Rabbs, Djinnes, and Ndepps 11 Sandiol and the Village of Ndiol 13 Gris-Gris 16 Animism in Dakar: An Examination of Taxis and Lutte 18 Taxis 18 Lutte 19 Relationship with Islam 21 Conclustion 22 Bibliogrpahy 24 Time Log 25 2 Abstract Although the overwhelming majority of Senegal’s inhabitants consider themselves Muslim, there are still many customs and behaviors throughout the country that derive from traditional animism.
    [Show full text]
  • Part Four - 'Made in America: Christian Fundamentalism' Transcript
    Part Four - 'Made in America: Christian Fundamentalism' Transcript Date: Wednesday, 10 November 2010 - 2:00PM Location: Barnard's Inn Hall 10 November 2010 Made in America Christian Fundamentalism Dr John A Dick Noam Chomsky: “We must bear in mind that the U.S. is a very fundamentalist society, perhaps more than any other society in the world – even more fundamentalist than Saudi Arabia or the Taliban. That's very surprising.” Overview: (1) Introduction (2) Five-stage evolution of fundamentalism in the United States (3) Features common to all fundamentalisms (4) What one does about fundamentalism INTRODUCTION: In 1980 the greatly respected American historian, George Marsden published Fundamentalism and American Culture, a history of the first decades of American fundamentalism. The book quickly rose to prominence, provoking new studies of American fundamentalism and contributing to a renewal of interest in American religious history. The book’s timing was fortunate, for it was published as a resurgent fundamentalism was becoming active in politics and society. The term “fundamentalism” was first applied in the 1920’s to Protestant movements in the United States that interpreted the Bible in an extreme and literal sense. In the United States, the term “fundamentalism” was first extended to other religious traditions around the time of the Iranian Revolution in 1978-79. In general all fundamentalist movements arise when traditional societies are forced to face a kind of social disintegration of their way of life, a loss of personal and group meaning and the introduction of new customs that lead to a loss of personal and group orientation.
    [Show full text]
  • Spiritual Ecology: on the Way to Ecological Existentialism
    religions Article Spiritual Ecology: On the Way to Ecological Existentialism Sam Mickey Theology and Religious Studies, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA; [email protected] Received: 17 September 2020; Accepted: 29 October 2020; Published: 4 November 2020 Abstract: Spiritual ecology is closely related to inquiries into religion and ecology, religion and nature, and religious environmentalism. This article presents considerations of the unique possibilities afforded by the idea of spiritual ecology. On one hand, these possibilities include problematic tendencies in some strands of contemporary spirituality, including anti-intellectualism, a lack of sociopolitical engagement, and complicity in a sense of happiness that is captured by capitalist enclosures and consumerist desires. On the other hand, spiritual ecology promises to involve an existential commitment to solidarity with nonhumans, and it gestures toward ways of knowing and interacting that are more inclusive than what is typically conveyed by the term “religion.” Much work on spiritual ecology is broadly pluralistic, leaving open the question of how to discern the difference between better and worse forms of spiritual ecology. This article affirms that pluralism while also distinguishing between the anti-intellectual, individualistic, and capitalistic possibilities of spiritual ecology from varieties of spiritual ecology that are on the way to what can be described as ecological existentialism or coexistentialism. Keywords: spirituality; existentialism; ecology; animism; pluralism; knowledge 1. Introduction Spiritual ecology, broadly conceived, refers to ways that individuals and communities orient their thinking, feeling, and acting in response to the intersection of religions and spiritualities with ecology, nature, and environmentalism. There are other ways of referring to this topic.
    [Show full text]
  • The Art and Science of Framing an Issue
    MAPThe Art and Science of Framing an Issue Authors Contributing Editors © January 2008, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the Movement Advancement Project (MAP). All rights reserved. “Ideas are a medium of exchange and a mode of influence even more powerful than money, votes and guns. … Ideas are at the center of all political conflict.” —Deborah Stone, Policy Process Scholar, 2002 The Art and Science of 1 Framing an Issue an Issue and Science of Framing Art The The Battle Over Ideas 2 Understanding How People Think 2 What Is Framing? 4 Levels of Framing 5 Tying to Values 6 Why Should I Spend Resources on Framing? 6 How Do I Frame My Issue? 7 Step 1. Understand the Mindset of Your Target Audience 7 Step 2. Know When Your Current Frames Aren’t Working 7 Step 3. Know the Elements of a Frame 7 Step 4. Speak to People’s Core Values 9 Step 5. Avoid Using Opponents’ Frames, Even to Dispute Them 9 Step 6. Keep Your Tone Reasonable 10 Step 7. Avoid Partisan Cues 10 Step 8. Build a New Frame 10 Step 9. Stick With Your Message 11 “Ideas are a medium of exchange and a mode of influence even more powerful than money, votes and guns. … Ideas are at the center of all political conflict.” —Deborah Stone, Policy Process Scholar, 2002 2 The Battle Over Ideas Are we exploring for oil that’s desperately needed to drive our economy and sustain our nation? Or are we Think back to when you were 10 years old, staring at destroying delicate ecological systems and natural your dinner plate, empty except for a pile of soggy– lands that are a legacy to our grandchildren? These looking green vegetables.
    [Show full text]
  • Psychology, Meaning Making and the Study of Worldviews: Beyond Religion and Non-Religion
    Psychology, Meaning Making and the Study of Worldviews: Beyond Religion and Non-Religion Ann Taves, University of California, Santa Barbara Egil Asprem, Stockholm University Elliott Ihm, University of California, Santa Barbara Abstract: To get beyond the solely negative identities signaled by atheism and agnosticism, we have to conceptualize an object of study that includes religions and non-religions. We advocate a shift from “religions” to “worldviews” and define worldviews in terms of the human ability to ask and reflect on “big questions” ([BQs], e.g., what exists? how should we live?). From a worldviews perspective, atheism, agnosticism, and theism are competing claims about one feature of reality and can be combined with various answers to the BQs to generate a wide range of worldviews. To lay a foundation for the multidisciplinary study of worldviews that includes psychology and other sciences, we ground them in humans’ evolved world-making capacities. Conceptualizing worldviews in this way allows us to identify, refine, and connect concepts that are appropriate to different levels of analysis. We argue that the language of enacted and articulated worldviews (for humans) and worldmaking and ways of life (for humans and other animals) is appropriate at the level of persons or organisms and the language of sense making, schemas, and meaning frameworks is appropriate at the cognitive level (for humans and other animals). Viewing the meaning making processes that enable humans to generate worldviews from an evolutionary perspective allows us to raise news questions for psychology with particular relevance for the study of nonreligious worldviews. Keywords: worldviews, meaning making, religion, nonreligion Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank Raymond F.
    [Show full text]
  • RD 071 937 SO 005 072 AUTHOR Payne, Judy Reeder TITLE Introduction to Eastern Philosophy, :Jocial Studies: 6414.23
    DOCIDIENT RESUME RD 071 937 SO 005 072 AUTHOR Payne, Judy Reeder TITLE Introduction to Eastern Philosophy, :Jocial Studies: 6414.23. INSTITUTION Dade County Public Schools, Miami, Fla. PUB DATE 71 NOTE 39p.; An Authorized course of instruction for the Quinmester Program EDRS PRICE MF -S0.65 HC -93.29 DESCRIPTORS Activity Units; Asian Studies; Behay.aral Objectives; Chinese Culture; Curriculum Guides; Grade 10; Grade 11; Grade 12; *Non Western Civilization; *Philosophy; *Religion; Resource Units; Secondary Grades; *Social Studies Units; Values IDENTIFIERS Flcrida; *Quinmester Program ABSTRACT Major Eastern philosophies and/or religions col sisting of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism are investigated by 10th through 12th grade students in this general social studies quinmester course. Since Eastern philosophical ideas are already influencing students, this course aims to guide students in a universal search for values and beliefs about the meaning of life. Through suggested activity learning, the five major religions are compared and contrasted for their differences, similarities, and .are examined for their influences upon Non Western and Western civilizations. Lastly, students trace contemporary ideas to Eastern philosophies. The course is arranged, as are other quinmester courses, with sections on broad goals, course content, activities, and materials. (SJM) AUTHORIZED COURSE OF INSTRUCTION FOR THE Uo Vlige1/45) 0 O Spcial Studies : INTRODUCTION TO EASTERNPHILOSOPHY 64111.23 6448.69 DIVISION OF INSTRUCTION1971 ED 071937 SOCIAL STUDIES INTRODUCTION TO EASTERN PHILOSOPHY zwoom5,13,0-mmmMZ17,MmMgg25.±:1"21'zmy., -omc 6448.696414.23 mmzocon>owao5zar4o--4m-5).35o5mt7zom74oviSollAmstwoz.3:14mm_pm..'mo mzsimmZ .momoo5,7,09c JUDY REEDERby PAYNE CmzQrfi7!!400z0m'10'.00m:;CS-,.740Olapm zMrsg;,T,m, for the 517,ZE5c00,m2.00'T23-DOM OM 2..I DadeDivision CountyMiami, 1971of PublicFloridaInstruction Schools DADE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Chinese Philosophical Traditions Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism (+Buddhism in China)
    Primary Sources: Chinese Philosophical Traditions Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism (+Buddhism in China) Confucianism: Confucius (c. 551 - 479 BCE) has been one of the most important thinkers in Chinese culture. Confucius redirected Chinese philosophy toward establishing the correct moral behavior of people within society. Significantly, Confucian thought was founded on the oldest and most respected traditions of Chinese society. Confucius himself claimed that he did nothing new, but in reality he fundamentally changed the direction of Chinese thought. Selections from the Analects (5th Century B.C.E.) On Filial Piety Mang I asked what filial piety is. The Master said, "It is being obedient." Soon after, as Fan Chi was driving him, the Master told him "Mang asked me what filial piety is, and I answer him 'being obedient.'" Fan Chi asked, "What exactly did you mean?" The Master replied, "That parents, when alive, should be served according to ritual; that, when dead, they should be buried according to ritual; and that they should be sacrificed to according to ritual." On Goodness The Master said, "A youth, when at home, should behave well toward his parents, and when abroad, respectfully to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all, and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after doing those things, he should study the polite arts." Zhonggong asked about perfect virtue. The Master said, "When abroad, behave to everyone as if you were receiving an important guest; treat people as if you were assisting at a great sacrifice; do not do to others as you would not wish done to yourself.
    [Show full text]
  • Elements of Chinese Religion
    ELEMENTS OF CHINESE RELIGION Professor Russell Kirkland Department of Religion University of Georgia 1) CONFUCIANISM: A humanistic value-system based on the teachings of Confucius (Kongzi: 551- 479 BCE). It stresses the moral responsibilities of the individual as a member of society. Confucian ideals are to be attained in one's everyday life, through individual moral cultivation and the fulfillment of one's proper roles in society. Though the early thinkers Mencius (Mengzi) and Hsün-tzu (Xunzi) debated human nature, Confucians generally share a common assumption that human nature and/or society are ultimately perfectible. Though called "humanistic," Confucian ideals were originally grounded in a belief that humanity is perfectible because our higher qualities somehow come from "Heaven" (T'ien/Tian). Also, the Confucian tradition includes a liturgical tradition in which Confucius is venerated as a spiritual being. But most Confucian leaders since the 10th century have been humanistic intellectuals leery of any concept of a personalized higher reality. Influenced by Taoism and Buddhism, those "Neo-Confucians" developed sophisticated metaphysical theories as well as meditative practices. Westerners often overlook the Neo-Confucian pursuit of individual "sagehood." 2) TAOISM: Includes both a classical school of thought (fl. 4th-2nd centuries BCE) and an organized religion (fl. 2nd-12th centuries CE). Classical Taoism — represented by texts like the Nei-yeh (Neiye), Lao-tzu (Laozi), Chuang-tzu (Zhuangzi), and Huai-nan-tzu (Huainanzi) — stressed a return to natural harmony with life's basic realities; such harmony, they thought, typified humanity's original state. Later Taoism is rich and complex. It began as a sacerdotal, liturgical tradition centered upon the socio-political ideal of a world that functions in holistic harmony.
    [Show full text]
  • Creationism Or Evolution
    I CONVERSATIONS WITH CHARLES Creationism* or evolution: is there a valid distinction? Pressure to impose extreme philosophies seems to be I tried a different tack. ‘Many scientists argue that Clin Med increasing throughout the world, including in the so- the mechanisms that they observe, for example 2006;6:629–30 called liberal democracies. I raised one example with evolution, are so beautiful that they are sufficient in Charles and he likened it to another form of themselves to negate the need for a god.’ extremism that I had hardly recognised as such. ‘Is that not pantheism? This holds that creation ‘Charles, do you not think that those in America and creator are one and the same, which is in effect who advocate teaching creationism in primary their position: a position that many of them appear schools are arrogant in the extreme?’ to find emotionally as well as intellectually satisfying. Further, most monotheistic approaches ‘Yes, if the approach is absolute,’ he replied, adding, have a pantheistic element in suggesting that we see ‘but no more so than those who advocate the God in his creation and its beauty. So the two views teaching of absolute Darwinism in this country! may not be as different as the protagonists might One is fundamentalist Christianity and the other wish. Both accept the concept of beauty which fundamentalist pantheism, much as the surely is metaphysical!’ protagonists might not recognise or like the label.’ I turned to the creationists. ‘What are the major ‘But surely the first requires imposing one’s faith on problems for the other side?’ others and the second does not?’ ‘How does God who is outside this world intervene?’ ‘The difference is less than you suggest, Coe! If knowledge implies proof and belief acceptance of ‘Heaven only knows!’ the unprovable then the fundamentalists in both camps are depending on belief, or faith, and not on ‘An appropriate response, Coe! But, once again, just knowledge.’ because you cannot conceive how it happens, it does not mean it does not happen.
    [Show full text]
  • How Our Worldviews Shape Our Practice
    How Our Worldviews Shape Our Practice Rachel M. Goldberg This article reviews research on the effect of a conflict resolution practi- tioner’s worldview on practice. The results revealed patterns connecting worldview frames with differing uses of power. Forty-three environ- mental and intercultural practitioners were interviewed, and narrative and metaphor analysis was used to reveal key worldview orientations in their practice stories. The results are correlated in continuums and “pro- files” of the worldview orientation. The findings strengthen previous work questioning the effects of the traditional neutrality stance, deepen fieldwide arguments for the embedded nature of worldview and cul- ture, and describe new methods that reveal some of the dynamics between worldview and practice. Native American tribe spent many years struggling against a govern- Ament agency for permanent residence status on their traditional homeland (the ability to live in and use their traditional homeland). Over time, their argument became a fight about permanent homes, because this was the only way to argue for use of the land that the agency understood. For the agency representatives, permanent housing (a building) was syn- onymous with permanent residence (ability to live on and use the land). One day, the mediator who was working with the tribe asked them why they wanted permanent homes. It turned out that the area became very hot during the summer; the tribe had traditionally built temporary homes in the winter and migrated to the mountains during the hot season. It become clear that the tribe did not even really want permanent housing, but a right to reside legally in the area—in their case, a very different goal.
    [Show full text]
  • The Three Teachings of Ancient China
    Social Studies – 6 Name: ______________________ The Three Teachings of Ancient China Taoism Laozi (Lao-tzu) wandered out to the western border of his state, riding his water buffalo. When he was eighty years old he set out for the western border of China, toward what is now Tibet, saddened and disillusioned that men were unwilling to follow the path to natural goodness. He searched for a place to live a simple life, close to nature and without trouble. With him, he carried his ideas. Before he could cross the boarder, officials made him write down his ideas: “Live a simple life, be free, be yourself, and be close to nature. Do these things and you will be happy.” Theses words have been kept in a little book called Tao Te Ching, the “Writing of God’s Way for a Good Life.” Like Confucius, Laozi had been troubled by the violence if his times. He thought it was a mistake to try to change people. He believed that people were naturally good. Man didn’t have to be “controlled.” Too much control was spoiling man. He saw that men were trying to live by “man-made” laws, customs, and traditions. They couldn’t do this and were unhappy. If men follow the ways of Tao, they will lead a good life. He really told each man to “do your own thing” – be yourself. Laozi wanted people to be closer to nature. He wanted to get away from the rules made by the government or society. To him, the government was selfish and power-hungry.
    [Show full text]
  • Is "Nontheist Quakerism" a Contradiction of Terms?
    Quaker Religious Thought Volume 118 Article 2 1-1-2012 Is "Nontheist Quakerism" a Contradiction of Terms? Paul Anderson Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/qrt Part of the Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Anderson, Paul (2012) "Is "Nontheist Quakerism" a Contradiction of Terms?," Quaker Religious Thought: Vol. 118 , Article 2. Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/qrt/vol118/iss1/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Quaker Religious Thought by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. IS “NONTHEIST QUAKERISM” A CONTRADICTION OF TERMS? Paul anderson s the term “Nontheist Friends” a contradiction of terms? On one Ihand, Friends have been free-thinking and open theologically, so liberal Friends have tended to welcome almost any nonconventional trend among their members. As a result, atheists and nontheists have felt a welcome among them, and some Friends in Britain and Friends General Conference have recently explored alternatives to theism. On the other hand, what does it mean to be a “Quaker”—even among liberal Friends? Can an atheist claim with integrity to be a “birthright Friend” if one has abandoned faith in the God, when the historic heart and soul of the Quaker movement has diminished all else in service to a dynamic relationship with the Living God? And, can a true nontheist claim to be a “convinced Friend” if one declares being unconvinced of God’s truth? On the surface it appears that one cannot have it both ways.
    [Show full text]