A worldview is the window from which we perceive the world and determine how we live in it. Every worldview has its foundation from which it establishes its beliefs. It is buried under the ground and is not seen by others most of the time, but it lays out the parameters of how the house “Is” going to be structured.
The Basic Components of a Worldview
Every belief has a foundation on which it builds its ethical and ideal house. It is what holds the house in place and keeps it from mixing with the house next door. Your house may look a little different than your neighbor’s; or your house may look completely different from your neighbor’s.
This is because each of us have our own view of our neighborhood and choose how we act and are seen by others while living there.
From the foundation, we can design how it “Ought” to look. Every house needs a skeletal structure and its coverings before it can be decorated with its ideal shutters and paint colors. It is after everything is built and decorated, that you can move in and order your house as you please.
When it comes to a worldview, there are four main components which make up the “Is” and “Ought.” What are these four key components that make up a worldview? They are Epistemology, Metaphysics, Ethics, and Socio-Political philosophy.
The fifth part, ideology, is not essential but everyone has their own version of how life ought to be, and many times an ideology becomes its own worldview.
Epistemology
What is epistemology?
Epistemology is the study of knowledge. It asks the question, “how can we know?” Before we can begin seeking answers to our questions, there must be a system that allows us to accept certain propositions and discard others.
There must be a set of first principles on which to build from. These ground rules are accepted by faith.
Whether one is atheistic or theistic, everyone must begin with faith in something. Sam Harris in his book, “The End of Faith” [affiliate link], claims that science and reason should guide people in truth.
David Hume (1711-1776) believed that truth is derived from the five senses — empirical knowledge — based on impressions from sense experience.
In the Judeo-Christian worldview, Solomon’s epistemology begins with God and builds the framework of knowledge from Him (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). In fact, to begin from the non-existence of God and to work toward His existence is foolishness according to Psalms 14, “The fool has said in his heart, there is no God.”
Sam Harris and his Jewish heritage are a worldview apart when it comes to beliefs.
Ultimate Authority
Epistemology also asks the question, “how can we know what is true?” Without starting with epistemology, how can we know anything with certainty? There must be some kind of ultimate authority from which a person can receive truth.
For Harris, science and reason are the ultimate authority from which one can find truth. From the religious Jew’s perspective, it is the Old Testament Scriptures in the Bible; while the Christian believes it is the Old and New Testament scriptures in the Bible. For the Muslim, it is the Koran and their sacred writings.
Metaphysics
Having established what will be your truth and ultimate authority, we can focus on existential questions which metaphysics addresses.
What is metaphysics in simple terms?
Metaphysics is the philosophical study of reality. It seeks to explain what is beyond the physical world and understand the relationship between the physical and abstract.
Metaphysics tackles such topics as:
- Does God exist?
- How did we get here?
- What is the meaning of life?
- Do humans have Free Will?
- Is there an after-life?
- Are miracles real?
And many more…
Similarity between Theology and Philosophy
A major aspect that effects everyone’s worldview is what one believes or does not believe about God. This is because everyone worships something or someone. Whatever the object of ultimate concern is for you, that will be your god. What you value most, you will do whatever is required to keep it or obey it.
It would seem then that theology and philosophy are of the same kind. Each seeks to handle what seems to be beyond the human capacity for understanding, at least rationally or empirically.
If we can begin to understand what is true about reality and the purpose for our existence, then we can begin to know how we should act in this world. This is the dividing line between what “Is” true about reality and our existence, and how we “Ought” to live based on that knowledge. And thus, ethics is born.
Ethics
What is ethics? Ethics is a system of moral principles which humans conduct their lives by on the individual and societal level. These moral principles may differ some, but there are common beliefs universally about how one should act.
For example, most people believe that murder, lying, and stealing are all wrong. Why this is the case could be a metaphysical question; and, surprisingly, the answer can differ depending on whether you believe in God.
If God sets up morality (Supernaturalism), then ethics is based on what He says, which means one must know (epistemology) what God thinks and proclaims. If there is no god, then morality is based on how you feel such as pain or pleasure (Utilitarianism), or what a society deems acceptable (Ethical Relativism).
These standards are subjective, meaning there can be no “absolutes” unless agreed upon. If that is the case, at what point in history did the world come together and agree upon moral values – murder, lying, stealing is wrong?
These are just a few examples of moral philosophy with other beliefs being Hedonism, Intuitionism, Virtue Ethics, or simply the belief that God’s Law is written on everyone’s hearts (Romans 2:12-16).
Just as each individual has moral principles they live by, there are standards for societies at large and systems put into place in order to keep justice and peace.
Socio-Political Philosophy
What is socio-political philosophy?
Socio-political philosophy studies ethics on a societal level and seeks to answer the question of how communities and societies should behave.
This philosophy focuses on issues such as:
- How to run a free and well-ordered society?
- What is the relationship between individuals and the state?
- Is gender inequality a problem?
- How do we properly take care of the environment?
Each society has its own set of laws and norms based on its founding morals or religious principles. Even though the execution of law by authorities does not always seem right, the purpose of governments is to maintain order by punishing evil and praising good behavior.
Many times, a small change occurs from ideology based on the views of the political party (e.g. Democrat, Republican). However, big changes usually happen when leadership establishes a different worldview or pushes their ideals.
An Example of a Worldview
China was a much different country prior to becoming the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949. After Mao Zedong’s Communist Party took over, societal norms, economics, and even ethical values began changing giving way for the Xi era of governance.
Confucianism has played a large part in creating the moral landscape in China. It is also backed by the Communist ideology, along with Xi’s vision for China. Because of ideological governance, China has changed how the populace acts as well as created tensions on the world stage.
Ideology
Ideals produce a gap between the way things are and the way they ought to be. They can apply to many different aspects of life such as: family, school, business, church, and government. For this reason, ideology is separated by being placed in the attic of Figure 1, above.
Ideology is what you personally believe is right. Even though a person may agree with you about a general worldview, there will be differences within a broader family of beliefs. This is due to your vision for life or society based on your perception, preference, or opinion.
Things can always be better than they are; however, it can be easy to encroach upon other’s ideal version when your ideal seeks to meet your own desires. This is why ideals produce friction between political parties, neighbors, spouses, and coworkers, etc.
Perhaps the Golden Rule “do to others what you would want done to you,” as well as the Silver Rule “do not do to others that you don’t want done to yourself,” can help serve that gap between ethics and ideology. It’s at least a start.
For Further Study
Disclaimer: Maps of Faith is reader-supported. When you click on links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission with no cost to you.
“A Deep Dive into the Biblical Worldview” [Article]
“The Communist Party as a Moral Actor?” [Article]
China before and after the Communist Revolution [Article]
“The Chinese Revolution of 1949” [Article]
“Morality Politics under Xi JinPing” [Article]
“Ideologies of Political Parties” [Article]