Spirituality, ethics, and healthcare are inseparable. According to Christians, ethics is more than making the right decisions and shunning what is wrong. The decision making process observes a general set of principles including the Ten Commandments, the Golden rule and the Great Commandment (Peters, 2017). Moreover, spirituality is founded on the obligation to live about God, depicted in Jesus, as the basis of love, and the source of everything else which has meaning and worth. Therefore, Christians believe that, in offering or getting medical aid, any form of actions should portray a style of life that shows our love for God and the love God has for us.
On the contrary, postmodern perception poses a different argument that is worth noting in the provision of healthcare services. Unlike Christians who have particular spiritual beliefs and ethics based on the God’s teachings, postmodern philosophy maintains that there can be a truth, which is not founded on any specific system but an acceptable beginning in the society at a particular time (Stenmark, 2017). According to the majority of the postmodernists on healthcare, the appropriate way of delivering or getting medical assistance should conform to the truth based on a system that is directed by the society in accordance to the current scientific understanding, cost and the unique feeling of particular patients. Thus, based on postmodernism view, health experts need to be reflexive on their knowledge privileges and avoid the conventional practices that deprive patients’ power of choice.
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Scientism and the Main Arguments Against it
Scientism is a popular ideology that accepts that the various assumptions and methods of study of both natural and physical sciences are correspondingly applicable to all other disciplines including the humanities, the social sciences, and philosophy. About its argument, natural science has the power over all other justifications of life, and that, the approaches of physical science designs the only suitable components in any philosophical examination. The term scientism stems from empiricism and is narrowly connected to positivism with the conclusion that, scientific knowledge is the only true knowledge, and that such knowledge can only be derived from positive confirmation of concepts through the accurate scientific method. Supporters of scientism frequently claim that the boundaries of science need expansion to unveil things that have not been previously assessed as subject crucial to science, to be categorized as part of science.
Despite the broad-based belief of scientism, specific fundamental arguments disagree with its applicability and the extent of its use. For example, since science employs the method of induction in collecting facts, construct general laws and make estimation of the future occurrences through the study of individual circumstances, it is thus not feasible to assert that, one has exhausted all the possibilities and instances of a specific thing such as all planets- as a foundation for generalization (Choi, 2016). Besides, philosophy is a broad discipline and entails the study of all things that can be understood in their complete causes and the universal principles under the component of natural reasoning. Science and other fields of knowledge that usually explore particular facets of reality are restricted to a certain point of view. Therefore, it not objective and viable to claim that, scientists understand those concepts correctly.
What is Ultimate Reality?
As a Christian, I know the ultimate truth as comprising of both the material and spiritual concepts. Although the physical universe does not appear all of it, it presents itself as real. The religious element, on the other hand, depicts itself in the form of the Supreme Being (God) who created the universe, additional materials (human being) and spiritual components (angels). Bourne, Crossfield & Nicholas (2017) argue that the ultimate reality can also occur in the form of matter. Through that, the physical universe, therefore, forms the basis for our existence. In our daily lives thus, the physical and mental aspects of the world work hand in hand in developing the ultimate reality.
What is the Nature of the Universe?
The universe is comprised of both surviving matter and space. According to my understanding and the Christian worldview, the world came to existence through the power of a supernatural being (God). God is always acknowledged as the sole creator of everything according to Christians, and therefore, the phenomena of the universe help to explain that exhaustively. Many factors aid in explaining the nature of the world such as energy forms. Coletto (2017) argue that, in His creation activities, God created the universe out of nothing and in a systematic way and structure. Moreover, He continues to manifest Himself in our daily lives through various methods as depicted in the natural universe and therefore, provides human beings a chance to make their choices.
What is Human Being?
Peters, Iqbal & Haq (2017) state that the human being is a product of the work of God’s creation with also the image of God. Thus, this alludes to the argument that, a human nature possesses the right knowledge, is rational, able to create and communicate properly. The fact that we are at the peak of God’s artwork, we deserve respect and honor. Despite the fall to sin, humanity enjoys various privileges that God gave to them such as authority over the rest of God’s creation. Human beings, therefore, use the biblical teachings to control and guide other forms of life including ecology and ecosystems.
What is Knowledge?
Human Knowledge is a God-given grace. According to Peters, Iqbal & Haq (2017), in His creation activities, God purposed to bless human beings with the knowledge to know the things around them and mainly, God’s supreme powers. Ideally, in the general grace of God, all human beings are endowed with the ability to know the workability of the world and learn the unique aspects of God. Based on the argument of the biblical components which is the source of most my worldviews, God is regarded as the originator of all knowledge. In His revelation of wisdom, He employs various means including the created order, His word, and Jesus Christ. Besides, learning is a useful component for human survival as it dictates the majority of the exceptional works of humankind.
What is your Basis of Ethics?
Ethics help to guide ones morality and conduct. Personally, Christianity acts as the basis of my ethics. According to the teachings of the Bible, there are particular ways God needs human beings to behave and act in certain circumstances. As a Christian, I acknowledge God as the foundation of everything excellent, and thus I must emulate His character. Peters, Iqbal & Haq (2017) state that, God did not merely design rules for humanity to follow, but instead, He articulated His role and set that as a guideline for human ethics. For instance, God regards Himself as Holy, which is morally acceptable. Further, He revealed to humanity the unique aspects of holiness and attaining it. Hence, by observing the character of God, I usually gain the correct behavior that is appealing and acceptable in my social surrounding.
What is the Purpose of your Existence?
In His creation endeavors, God had a purpose. Such reason keeps human beings and other living things alive. According to my Christian opinion, God had a plan to ensure that all creatures enjoy absolute love and justice (Peters, 2017). Besides, God made humanity in His heavenly image and enabled them to have a vast understanding of His intricate designs and manifestations. Therefore, the essence of our existence as human beings is to love and serve God to accomplish the initial God’s objective for creation. God has also blessed us with a unique gift that helps us in reflecting on our nature and conscience. The Bible articulates the various ways people should serve God. For example, they can employ the art of giving and assisting other human beings in times of need.
References
Bourne, P. A., Crossfield, D., & Nicholas, V. (2017). A Christian approach to philosophy. International Journal of Humanities & Social Science: Insights & Transformations [ISSN: 2581-3587 (online)], 2(1).
Choi, J. (2016). Pluralism, relativism, and postmodernism in the healthcare chaplaincy and the evangelical chaplain (Doctoral dissertation, Biola University).
Coletto, R. (2017). Moments of agreement: the reformational worldview in dialogue with other Christian worldviews. Journal for Christian Scholarship= Tydskrif vir Christelike Wetenskap, 53(1-2), 1-18.
Peters, T. (2017). Science, theology, and ethics. Routledge.
Peters, T., Iqbal, M., & Haq, S. N. (Eds.). (2017). God, Life, and the Cosmos: Christian and Islamic Perspectives. Routledge.
Stenmark, M. (2017). Scientism: Science, ethics and religion. Routledge.
