Personal Worldview

Personal Worldview

HLT-310V-OL191 Spirituality in Healthcare

Grand Canyon University

Personal Worldview Inventory

Personal worldviews are determined by the spiritual beliefs and experiences of individuals. The term spirituality is used in a broad spectrum by today. The term spirituality can be described by many people in different terms. Spirituality today attempts to reconcile ‘spirit and body, sacredness and sexuality together in a redemptive experience of the totality and mystery of life’ (Van Niekerk, 2018), Religion and spirituality are not the same, although they have overlapping areas, they are entirely distinct from one another. In spirituality, the questions are where do I personally find meaning, connection, and value? In religion, the theory of what is true, and right while explored (Van Niekerk, 2018).

Seven Basic Worldview Questions

Worldviews provide the cultural lenses that shape how we see the world, and they give meaning to life, both personally and for humanity. A worldview can integrate many theories from different aspects of life and help us see how they may complement each other. The seven questions in below help review and begin grasping more clearly the concept of a worldview

The following questions are used to help determine a person’s worldview and perspective:

•What is prime reality?

Prime reality relates to an individual’s God that is noted in scripture. Is there a God in your worldview? Are multiple Gods involved? Is the supernatural involved? Is the God personal or impersonal in nature?

I have one God I believe in that created all things.

•What is the nature of the world around us?

The world was created by your God. Was the world created by an outside scientific force? Are humans able to influence the Earth or is it out of our control? I believe that the world changes due to our decisions we make and a cause and reaction effect, the good and evil theory.

•What is a human being?

Are we created in the image of our God? Are we a form of a God?

I was created in the image of God as he walked on Earth among us.

•What happens to a person at death? People cease to exist. People transform to a higher state. People reincarnate into another life on earth, or do people depart to a shadowy existence on “the other side.” Do individuals enter the spiritual realm (heaven, hell, or other place) based on how life was lived on earth? Do people enter directly into heaven?

I believe I will live eternally among God in Heaven if I confess my sins and do not lead an evil life.

•Why is it possible to know anything at all?

Knowledge is an illusion, or there is not a reason for humans to know all. We are here to learn and gain knowledge.

I feel I am here on Earth to learn from my wrong doings and learn from mistakes.

•How do we know what is right and wrong?

We are instilled with this knowledge. This is instilled by human choice. We are made in the image of God whose character is good and who has revealed what is right.

I feel we should know what is right and wrong and we have temptations and need to ward them off. I think we know right from wrong from lessons we learn and intuition.

•What is the meaning of human history?

There is no innate meaning to human history. Meaning is what humans make it to be. Time is an illusion. Meaning involves realizing the purpose of the gods. Meaning results from discovering and fulfilling the purpose of God.

Philosophies

Philosophies about the nature of knowledge, scientism, and relativism, are at the heart of this perceived tension between science and religion (Hlt310v.i1 01 05 15).

Scientism is the belief that the best and only way to achieve knowledge or reality is using science. Relativism is the belief that there is no absolute truth, only the truths that an individual or culture happen to believe (Shelly & Miller, 2009). Claims about nature or reality are relative to an individua or a society. Pluralism is the coexistence of two or more philosophies within the same society (Shelly & Miller, 2009).

Increased Interest in Healthcare

Despite the immense benefits science has provided to medicine, science has not been able to confirm the meaning of life. Modern Western worldview consumed dualism, the good and evil. Many Christians saw matter and the world as inherently evil, spirit and heaven as good. They drew a sharp distinction between the natural and the supernatural and focused more on the supernatural realm. Healthcare professionals are looking for a more holistic approach to harmonize the environment for patients (Shelly & Miller, 2009). At the beginning of the 15th century focus on dualism was declining and there was an impact of the Postmodern worldview. The natural world of plants, animals, and humans were the focus. Theorists of nursing turned toward the postmodern theory and brought back some older approaches about patient care, but each is calling for something beyond the mechanistic, natural-science approach to nursing (Shelly & Miller, 2009). A new nursing paradigm formed, thus allowing many alternative methods of care. Many holistic versions of care were given a rebirth and skills practiced to the highest level for adequate care. f nursing based on the modern worldview are not adequate to the practice of nursing (Shelly & Miller, 2009). Post western and Postmodern worldviews have both shape the nursing profession, although this was not enough to satisfactorily care for patients with the proper skills needed for spiritual health and wellbeing needed to face medical treatment as well.

Summary

With evolution of our everchanging world and scientific advancements along with theoretical changes in beliefs changes to patient care and treatment has made great strides all due to worldviews and spirituality.

References

Dworkin, R. W. (2001). Science, faith, and alternative medicine Hoover Institution Press. Retrieved from https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=5005198&site=eds-live&scope=site

Hlt310v.i1 01 05 15

Mahoney, M. J., & Graci, G. M. (1999). The meanings and correlates of spirituality: Suggestions from an exploratory survey of experts Routledge. doi:10.1080/074811899200867

Ochs, C. (2009). Co-creating my worldview Wiley-Blackwell. doi:10.1111/j.1939-3881.2009.00092.x

Perez-Sales, P., Jose Eiroa-Orosa, F., Olivos, P., Barbero-Val, E., Fernandez-Liria, A., & Vergara, M. (2012). Vivo questionnaire: A measure of human worldviews and identity in trauma, crisis, and loss-validation and preliminary findings doi:10.1080/15325024.2011.616828

Shelly, J. A., & Miller, A. B. (2009). Called to care : A christian worldview for nursing. Illinois: InterVarsity Press. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/[SITE_ID]/detail.action?docID=2009885

Van Niekerk, B. (2018). Religion and spirituality: What are the fundamental differences? doi:10.4102/hts.v74i3.4933