October 28, 2006
WORLD VIEW - 2
HOW DOES ONE DEVELOP A WORLD VIEW?
Obviously, each person’s world view, conscious or unconscious, develops very slowly over a lifetime and has multiple influences. Let’s look at the influences as if we are examining a large onion. The outer rings of the onion will represent the big, general influences that are likely to be similar for all others born at the same time and place as the individual. As we go deeper into the center core of the onion, we will see the possible variables that make each of us unique.
Much of a person’s world view is somewhat accidental to the extent that portions of that world view depend on when and where one is born. Let’s look at some large generalities, analogous to the outer skin of an onion. We have all heard of the differences between the “Western world” and the “Eastern world”. The philosophies of the two demonstrate notable differences. But even such a division is variable and open to change over the centuries. At one time the Western world referred largely to Western Europe. But after the discovery and development of the Western Hemisphere, the “Western world” grew to include all of North America and South America, and then Australia and New Zealand. It is important to remember the paradox that change is constant!
Even within the “Western world”--a world highly influenced by the Judaic-Christian religions--one finds shades of differences and variables from country to country, often patriotic in nature, sometimes geographic, sometimes historical. The general “world view” of a German is not exactly that of a Frenchman or a Brit or an Italian. The American “world view” will differ from that of a European, as will that of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. Besides a commonality of religious traditions, the factor of attitudes toward government shades the views in each of these areas of the world.
Therefore it is obvious that any individual’s worldview is shaped by the century or even decade in which he is born, the culture of the country or even the part of the country in which he is born [consider the different attitudes in New England, the Midwest, Deep South, and Far West of the U.S.], and certainly his family upbringing.
A person’s view of the world begins with the nuclear family. Does the child feel loved and safe? Or threatened and rejected? Is the child taught, or indoctrinated in a specific belief system? Or is he encouraged to think independently? In the past, even the immediate past, a family’s values were fairly easily transferred to the child. Currently, however, it isn’t so simple. Children are exposed to multiple values and mores (some clearly not beneficial) via television, video games, computers, peers, and general pop culture. Still, “whoever most controls a child’s early environment will likely be most influential in contributing to the development of the child’s worldview.” Some families, especially those with strong, fundamental belief systems, want the child to keep those values and worldviews for their entire lifetime. That is not easy to accomplish these days.
The fact remains, however, that the adult’s worldview may, but often does not, remain consistent. As one matures, even more factors influence one’s worldview. The further one proceeds with education, the greater his exposure to new ways of thinking. Travel exposes one to new experiences and different cultures. Even moving to another part of the country brings in subtle new attitudes toward life and the world. Clearly, personal life experiences often contribute great alterations of one’s outlook on life. This can come from economic situations, new relationships, parenthood, tragic losses, illnesses and other personal situations, or even life-time learning. All such factors contribute to a person’s perspective about the world and humanity’s place in it. All of these factors have certainly contributed to my world view.
And as for remaining consistent, I am always reminded of a quotation originating from famed American author, the Transcendental philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson: “A foolish consistency is the hob-goblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.” Clearly, Emerson believes that as we learn and grow, we are expected to evolve in various ways.
Next, we shall examine a fairly recent term for a scientific view of the world, a term that has expanded in meaning and connotation to include “world view.”
WORLD VIEW - 2
HOW DOES ONE DEVELOP A WORLD VIEW?
Obviously, each person’s world view, conscious or unconscious, develops very slowly over a lifetime and has multiple influences. Let’s look at the influences as if we are examining a large onion. The outer rings of the onion will represent the big, general influences that are likely to be similar for all others born at the same time and place as the individual. As we go deeper into the center core of the onion, we will see the possible variables that make each of us unique.
Much of a person’s world view is somewhat accidental to the extent that portions of that world view depend on when and where one is born. Let’s look at some large generalities, analogous to the outer skin of an onion. We have all heard of the differences between the “Western world” and the “Eastern world”. The philosophies of the two demonstrate notable differences. But even such a division is variable and open to change over the centuries. At one time the Western world referred largely to Western Europe. But after the discovery and development of the Western Hemisphere, the “Western world” grew to include all of North America and South America, and then Australia and New Zealand. It is important to remember the paradox that change is constant!
Even within the “Western world”--a world highly influenced by the Judaic-Christian religions--one finds shades of differences and variables from country to country, often patriotic in nature, sometimes geographic, sometimes historical. The general “world view” of a German is not exactly that of a Frenchman or a Brit or an Italian. The American “world view” will differ from that of a European, as will that of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. Besides a commonality of religious traditions, the factor of attitudes toward government shades the views in each of these areas of the world.
Therefore it is obvious that any individual’s worldview is shaped by the century or even decade in which he is born, the culture of the country or even the part of the country in which he is born [consider the different attitudes in New England, the Midwest, Deep South, and Far West of the U.S.], and certainly his family upbringing.
A person’s view of the world begins with the nuclear family. Does the child feel loved and safe? Or threatened and rejected? Is the child taught, or indoctrinated in a specific belief system? Or is he encouraged to think independently? In the past, even the immediate past, a family’s values were fairly easily transferred to the child. Currently, however, it isn’t so simple. Children are exposed to multiple values and mores (some clearly not beneficial) via television, video games, computers, peers, and general pop culture. Still, “whoever most controls a child’s early environment will likely be most influential in contributing to the development of the child’s worldview.” Some families, especially those with strong, fundamental belief systems, want the child to keep those values and worldviews for their entire lifetime. That is not easy to accomplish these days.
The fact remains, however, that the adult’s worldview may, but often does not, remain consistent. As one matures, even more factors influence one’s worldview. The further one proceeds with education, the greater his exposure to new ways of thinking. Travel exposes one to new experiences and different cultures. Even moving to another part of the country brings in subtle new attitudes toward life and the world. Clearly, personal life experiences often contribute great alterations of one’s outlook on life. This can come from economic situations, new relationships, parenthood, tragic losses, illnesses and other personal situations, or even life-time learning. All such factors contribute to a person’s perspective about the world and humanity’s place in it. All of these factors have certainly contributed to my world view.
And as for remaining consistent, I am always reminded of a quotation originating from famed American author, the Transcendental philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson: “A foolish consistency is the hob-goblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.” Clearly, Emerson believes that as we learn and grow, we are expected to evolve in various ways.
Next, we shall examine a fairly recent term for a scientific view of the world, a term that has expanded in meaning and connotation to include “world view.”
posted by Booktalk Gayl at 9:03 AM
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