Based on the required topic study materials, write a reflection about worldview and
respond to following:
In 250-300 words, explain the Christian perspective of the nature of spirituality and ethics
in contrast to the perspective of postmodern relativism within health care.
In 250-300 words, explain what scientism is and describe two of the main arguments
against it.
In 750-1,000 words, answer each of the worldview questions according to your own
personal perspective and worldview:
What is ultimate reality?
What is the nature of the universe?
What is a human being?
What is knowledge?
What is your basis of ethics?
What is the purpose of your existence?
Remember to support your reflection with the topic study materials.
Worldview Analysis and Personal Inventory
Question 1
Christianity and post-modern relativism have varying influences in shaping people’s
worldview. Dealing with people with diverse worldviews is presumably one of the most
significant challenges healthcare workers encounter. The most significant concern remains how
to provide quality health care services while at the same time ensuring that the ” the clients” set
of beliefs are not undervalued (Harris, 2015). There exists a bright contrast between Christianity
and post-modern relativism as far as shaping people’s beliefs. In Christianity, for instance, people
acknowledge the existence of a supernatural being; God who exists as the Father, Son, and the
Holy Spirit.
WORLDVIEW ANALYSIS 2
According to Christians, God’s presence is beyond human apprehension; hence, He is
deemed as sustainer and controller of everything that is under the surface of the earth. The Bible
is an essential reference book in Christianity. Whenever misfortunes strike, Christians use the
Bible to get explanations or justifications. In the case of illnesses, Christians believe that God is
capable of healing them, explaining why most are hesitant to seek medical care (Harris, 2015).
Although Christians acknowledge the importance of science in obtaining information, a
significant percentage of them perceive post-modern healing as less useful. Based on Christian
beliefs, human beings are created in God’s image, and thus they should be accorded utmost
respect. Christianity further believes that human beings are unique creatures who were created in
the image of God. This explains why Christianity expects nurses to treat patients with the utmost
respect and love.
Conversely, post-modern relativism believes that truth does not exist. Those who
subscribe to this worldview believe that fact is invented rather than being discovered. Also, the
existence of personal purposes is emphasized in post-modern relativism (Belokobylskyi, 2019).
As opposed to Christian perspectives where some acts are categorically classified as either
morally right or wrong, post-modern relativism provides a room for deciding whether an action
is ethically right or wrong. For instance, the issue of abortion has caused a significant rift
between Christianity and post-modern relativism due to the varying views on this subject. Post-
modern relativism further contradicts the Christian perspective by arguing that no creature is
more unique than the other. Working in a nursing industry were dealing with people with diverse
world views may prove to be a highly tasking duty, especially when it comes to striking a
balance between offering the right services while at the same time putting into perspectives the
client’s set of beliefs.
WORLDVIEW ANALYSIS 3
Question 2
Scientism is the belief that all real knowledge can only be found in science. It is a
worldview with an integrating cosmology aimed at understanding the world. Many people who
subscribe to this worldview believe that it offers an interpretive filter or lens to view life. It is
established on the opinion that it is only through science that knowledge can be acquired.
According to scientism, human reasoning, coupled with experimental methods, is responsible for
the knowledge a person possesses (Gleiser, 2014). As opposed to Christianity, scientism draws
its deductions from variables and observables, making it easy to test its authenticity.
Some views held by scientism are a complete opposite of religious beliefs hence forming
the basis for an argument against it. For instance, while most religions believe in life after death,
scientism propagates the idea that death is the end of life. This is based on the argument that
there is no evidence to support that there is life after death. Scientists further believe that near-
death experience does not exist.
The argument by scientists that there is no God has also attracted arguments against the
worldview. This argument is against Christian teaching and belief that there is a supreme being
who controls everything under the universe (Gleiser, 2014). Since scientism is based on what
can be physically seen, it is hard to convince those who subscribe to this world view that there is
a supernatural being they cannot physically see. As opposed to scientism, Christianity believes
that not all things can be proved, and therefore, some believes are just taken by faith.
Question 3
What is the ultimate reality?
WORLDVIEW ANALYSIS 4
From my perspective, ultimate reality starts by first acknowledging the existence of God,
who is the creator and sustainer of everything in the universe. Recognizing God’s presence will
make a person appreciate their life and all that is under the universe. However, this takes in great
faith. The Bible is crucial in unveiling the truth that God controls human beings, and all that is in
the universe. Knowing the truth embedded in the Bible will make people understand and believe
in life after death.
Furthermore, God allows us to choose between life and death. Living a holy life by
obeying all God’s commandments will earn us a ticket to enjoying eternal life (Uršič & Petan,
2015). On the contrary, leading a sinful life will separate a person from God’s love and prevent
people from entering into heaven after the judgment day.
What is the nature of the universe?
The nature of the universe is linked to the ultimate reality. It is evidence of God’s
existence, who is the creator of everything we see on earth. God created the world in six days
through his power. Therefore, anything which we see in the universe did not happen by chance.
Human beings were put in charge of all the creations in the world. They were bestowed with all
the knowledge and ability to rule over all other creatures on earth. The universe is a clear way of
showing how powerful and magnificent God is, and this, in turn, builds people’s faith in
believing that he truly exists.
What is a human being?
WORLDVIEW ANALYSIS 5
Human beings are a product of God’s creation. The human race started with the creation
of Adam and Eve, who were placed in the Garden of Eden to take care of other God’s creations.
Unlike other creations, human beings were created in the likeness of God. Genesis 1.27 states,
“So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them, male and female
he created them.” This means that there are some characteristics that human beings share with
God. This emphasizes how valued human beings are before God and explains the special
relationship with God.
What is knowledge?
From my perspective, knowledge is acquired from information gathered from reliable
sources. The knowledge accumulated over time helps shape one’s beliefs, conduct, and how they
address different matters. In the world, there are various avenues of acquiring knowledge, which
is beneficial to human existence. Some of the ways knowledge could be gained are education,
interactions, the internet, and even religion. From the Bible, Proverbs chapter one, verse seven
states that the Lord’s fear is the beginning of knowledge. It simply means that being a Christian
and following God’s teachings unveils some understanding, which may lack those who are not
Christians. Being a Christian, I believe that God is the source of all knowledge that a human
being can have.
What is your basis for ethics?
My ethics are founded on moral values that I have learned through my parents, religion,
and those that I closely interact with. This has guided me from a young age in differentiation
between what is right and what is wrong. Over the years, I have learned to embrace virtues as a
way of living at peace with God and fellow human beings. I view ethics as the basis of humanity
WORLDVIEW ANALYSIS 6
and guide our conduct in society, homes, offices, and all realms of interactions. Christianity has
mainly taught me to value every person regardless of their status in society. It has taught me that
we are all equal before God’s eyes, and thus we should see a fellow human being the same way
God sees them. My ethics have also been significantly shaped by what society expects of me and
my desire to live as an example to the rest of the community.
What is the purpose of your existence?
I believe that every human being was created to fulfill a particular purpose, and therefore,
everyone must seek to understand their purpose of existence. Through prayer, God can reveal
your purpose of existence. Personally, my purpose of existence is to serve God. I believe that
service to humanity is service to God. I desire to positively impact the lives of the less fortunate
in society and improve the quality of life. I also believe that I was created to be a disciple and
witness to the unbelievers the love of God towards them.
References
Belokobylskyi, V. (2019) The Crisis of Ideology of Universal Mind as a Challenge to the Social
Structure of Modernity. Russian Journal of Philosophical Sciences, 69(3) 124-145
Gleiser, M., 2014, The Island of knowledge: The limits of science and the search for meaning,
Basic Books, New York.
Harris, B. (2015). The Big Picture: Building Blocks of a Christian World View. Authentic
Publishers.
WORLDVIEW ANALYSIS 7
Uršič, M., & Petan, M. (2015). The Gaze of the Soul and of the Angel in the Renaissance
Philosophy of Marsilio Ficino. Mit in Pogled. 32(4) 58-75.