Worldviews are defined as the beliefs that guide man’s existence. These beliefs help human beings to comprehend their origin, the reason why they are on earth, and where they are headed. Worldviews are guided by three central concepts namely pluralism, scientism, and postmodernism. The meaning of spirituality cannot be specific due to the different views on it. In society today, spirituality has gained varying descriptions based on the setting in which it is used. In sociology, spirituality is viewed as the nature of a person that is achieved by social interaction and having a social life. In philosophy, scholars see it as the rules through which human consciousness and knowledge correlate to help one withstand being human. Benner (2012) describes spirituality as the way in which human beings live their lives about self-transcendence. The following is an analysis of spirituality through the three concepts of worldview as well as the analysis of the belief systems associated with the worldviews.
Scientism defines spirituality as the physical objects and laws that guide human existence, which provide natural explanations for all life. Scientism presents science as the superior form of achieving social consciousness by defining its role in society, culture, and knowledge. Scientism believes that there are different understandings of existence which are unique to each person. Science is considered to be dominant because of its rapid development in society.
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On the other hand, postmodernism represents contemporary culture and views spirituality as a state acquired through collective salvation (Lee, 2016). Postmodernism directs the Christian worldview whereby holiness depends on emotion and encounter with a higher being. Postmodernism discredits ideologies and promotes the freedom of choice in developing a spiritual path based on the universal culture (Lee, 2016). Spirituality is, in this case, personalized, and fosters a culture of individualism.
Pluralism is the belief in many perspectives and not just one as in the Christian worldview. Spirituality is a vital aspect of religion, and the idea of god is defined as a human construction (Fisher, 2012). Pluralism believes in the existence of different religions as a means to an end.
What is the Prime Reality?
Scientism views prime reality as that which is real. The divine truth is that which sustains human spirituality as well as human beings in a classic dichotomy (Wentzel van Huyssteen & Wiebe, 2011). Prime reality results from the existence of a person’s spirituality (Wentzel van Huyssteen & Wiebe, 2011).
In postmodernism, prime realty is defined as the existence of one God and is transcendent to all. This God is known by everyone and hence superior (Fisher, 2012). Pluralism, on the other hand, views prime reality as the spiritual universe consisting of gods, the mind, one and all (Fisher, 2012).
What is the Nature of the World around You?
Understanding the nature of the world is critical in comprehending the existence of the universe and all that is in it. According to scientism, the world exists as a result of cause and effect in a closed system and is eternal (Fisher, 2012). Postmodernism views the world as an entity created by God, and operates in an open order uniformly. Pluralists believe the world to be manifestations of various gods and minds, which are eternal (Fisher, 2012).
What is a Human Being?
A human being is defined as the center of the spit, which when combined with other characteristics of gender and attitudes among others they achieve self-awareness, determination, and individuality. According to scientism, human beings are involved animals that have evolved from primitive creatures (Fisher, 2012). Postmodernism defines a human being as a physical, spiritual being that is created by God in His image (Fisher, 2012). Human people are prone to destruction due to sin. The pluralist perspective is that human beings are spiritual beings living in material bodies (Fisher, 2012). Human beings exist as parts of gods.
What Happens to a Person after Death?
Scientism is resistant to the idea of an afterlife as compared to postmodernism and pluralism. Scientism advances that death brings about an end to the existence and there is no life after death (Fisher, 2012). Postmodernism offers that after death, a person ascends into another conscious or unconscious state (Eaton, 2011). Spirituality allows one to achieve immortality after death. Pluralism also advances the idea of life after death whereby after death one enters into the next stage of existence in the form cosmic life (Fisher, 2012).
Why is it Possible to Know Anything at All?
The natural ability to know anything is defined as cognition. Cognition has guided epistemology, a study that correlates reality with knowledge, nature and the development process. Epistemology guides comprehension which drives one towards self-identification. Scientism emphasizes that cognition is acquired through reason and intuition. Moreover, one’s ability to know anything is guided by scientific methods that explain as to why various aspects exist as they are (Fisher, 2012).
Cognition in postmodernism is guided by a higher being, which is God. God reveals what knowledge through biblical experiences and the person of Jesus Christ and enhances mastery through trust in biblical events (Fisher, 2012). Human beings are guided by the Holy Spirit in correlating knowledge with reality. Pluralism believes that cognition is acquired through channeling a god and the mind to access revelations of expertise (Fisher, 2012).
How do We Know What’s Right and Wrong?
The question of morality is what establishes right and wrong in the society. Morality is guided by a phenomenon called ethics, which are the values that govern human conduct. Scientism opines that morality is guided by personal intuition and majority opinion (Fisher, 2012). Moreover, a person’s conscience serves as a guide to morality. Right and wrong are distinguished by traditions that prove to be better than others.
Postmodernism believes in God as the judge of right and wrong. God’s character acts as a guide for people to emulate, through Christ (Fisher, 2012). Postmodernism has been adopted in nursing through the means of caring for others and the relationships formed during caring for patients. Pluralism, on the other hand, believes that there is no right or wrong and that morality is determined by inner impulses (Fisher, 2012).
What is the Meaning of Human History?
Human history is defined as the process of development of the human race. Scientism, postmodernism, and pluralism all have varying ideas on the meaning of human history. Scientism describes human history as the genesis of the human race from when human beings achieved self-realization of their characteristics to making when they developed social and functional laws guiding them towards development (Fisher, 2012). Human history was accomplished in two steps. One is evolution and the second is the scientific-technical invention. Each of these steps guides spirituality.
Postmodernism takes a different approach as it defines human history as a compilation of significant events that led to the fulfillment of God’s overall plan for human beings (Fisher, 2012). These events relied on freedom of rational people to make their own choices, though they were supervised by God. Postmodernism believes that human beings exist for a purpose which they are set to achieve before leaving earth. Pluralism, on the other hand, believes human history to be an illusion characterized by cyclical processes (Fisher, 2012). These processes incorporate the correlation between god, mind, and self.
In conclusion, worldviews vary depending on one’s attitudes and beliefs. There exist three concepts of worldviews which are scientism, postmodernism, and pluralism. Various subgroups guide these concepts forming beliefs. Understanding one’s worldview gives one a better comprehension of the universe and spirituality.
References
Benner, D. (2012). Spirituality and the Awakening Self: The Sacred Journey of Transformation. (p. 155). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Brazos Press.
Eaton, B. (2011). Afterlife: Uncovering the Secrets of Life after Death. (p. 2). Crows Nest, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin.
Fisher, B. (2012). Exploring worldviews: A framework. Research & Scholarship , 6 (1), 55.
Lee, D. (2016). The Buddha and the numen: postmodern spirituality and the problem of transcendence in Buddhism. International Journal of Dharma Studies , 4 (1). Doi: 10.1186/s40613-016-0040-x
Wentzel van Huyssteen, J., & Wiebe, E. (2011). In Search of Self: Interdisciplinary Perception on Personhood. (p. 84.). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans.
