Dallas Malone

January 15 2015
Ways of Knowing
My Worldview
My Worldview
Ken Funks article, What is a worldview? defines a worldview in a couple different ways,
the most relevant definitions for a worldview I read is, A worldview is a set of beliefs about
fundamental aspects of reality that ground and influence all ones perceiving, thinking, knowing,
and doing. Each individuals worldview is different, based on their personal beliefs and outlooks
on the world and on society. We construct our worldview based on personal experiences,
environment, and just how our brains are wired. Funk states that the importance of a worldview
is incredibly significant, knowing your worldview can help you make rational decisions, and can
help you in being able to explain the decisions youve made. Knowing your worldview will help
you stray away from those impulse decisions as well.
Funk states that there are seven worldview categories, epistemology, metaphysics,
cosmology, teleology, theology, anthropology, and axiology. All of which play a piece in
constructing your worldview. Epistemology is beliefs about nature and the sources of knowledge.
Knowledge can be simply information, reactions of the neural mechanisms in your brain.
Knowledge can be of a fully material mind that exists long after the brain has deceased, in other
words spirits or souls. You can believe that knowledge only comes from personal experience, or
that knowledge comes from a greater authority like a book or word from someone you see as a
higher intellectual, or even revelation. These different beliefs usually arent always discredited,

they are usually weighted by personal priority. Epistemology also effects what you receive as
valid evidence and of who you authoritize in your life.Your epistemology also depends on how
you view personal faith and knowledge.
My views on epistemology are that I believe that there are more to a being than just
matter. With that being said I believe in spirits and souls, I believe that knowing is an act of trust
in the absence of a what you see. I believe that not one single source of evidence is satisfactory,
the most applicable one for me would be authority. I view knowledge and faith as going hand
and hand, and faith can add to your knowledge. I doubt the possibility of absolute certainty,
therefor I typically have moderation in my behavior.
The next worldview category is Metaphysical. Metaphysical beliefs could include being a
materialist, meaning you only believe that we are just a result of matter, nothing more. They
could also include being a philosophical idealist, meaning you believe reality is of the mind and
the supernatural. Whether there is something that guides the world or just watches over it like a
god or gods. The next bit covers truth, and what you would perceive to be truth as well as the
ultimate test for truth.
By Funks definition I would be a philosophical idealist, I believe in the spiritual nature
and the supernatural as well as a god. I believe god has a path for every individual. Also by
definition I believe that I am a pragmatist, truth is what works and for the ultimate test of truth
I decided I was a rationalist, I believe in truth through personal discovery and gut instinct. I have
personal views and morals that I follow, and I search for truth only as far as I want and through
my distinction.

Cosmological beliefs how how you feel about the source of the universe and how it came
about, how man was created and why man was created. As well as how life was created, and why
there is life and how the concept of life came about.
In consistency with me being an idealist, the universe was created by a designer (or a
god), with a set goal and plan. I believe that a god created the idea of matter, and the world, but I
do believe in natural selection and I think that nature took over after that point in our worlds
creation. I believe in good karma as well as bad karma, that good deeds override bad ones and
you will be punished for bad deeds, maybe not immediately but eventually.
Teleology is about the purpose of the universe and what is the purpose of the universe.
The answer seems so simple, as in a yes or a no. But it gets more complicated than that. If you
think there is no purpose than we are all here by chance, we have no significance and no goals. If
you choose yes, then you would have to decide what exactly the purpose could be and question
why humans are here, and why you are here.
Yes, we have a purpose here in this universe. What the purpose is? To do great things, to
be happy where you are, I believe that a god watches over us. God has a set pathway for us
occupants, Therefor our life has meaning. We have to behave with the purpose in mind, if the
purpose is happiness for us occupants, then what you do with your life would have to contribute
to that main purpose or goal.
Theology is your beliefs about god explains Theology pretty simply. Basically covers
the who, what, and why of your beliefs of the supernatural. Whether you are monotheistic or you
believe in many gods. If there is a god, what is his relationships to the rest of us as a whole, and
individually? Your views on Theology is what drives the rest of your world views.

By reading my past arguments you can believe I am a theist, and I believe that we have
one god for everyone. The nature of god is to watch over everyone, to set a pathway to success
and to carve each individuals past present and future. God created the universe and the matter all
around it. I dont believe he has left, I think he is still watching over it. Gods relationship to man
is to let us figure it out on our own, and he will guide you if you keep a proper relationship with
him.
Anthropology in the context of a worldview is basically our questions about man and our
place in this universe, if we have free will, why are we here? Also if we [man] are good or bad.
Can we act however we want because we have nothing and no one to attain to? Or do we have a
duty as man to fulfill what we were placed on this universe to do, its all up to the individual.
Man is a product of its creator, we were placed here by a god, because we were placed
here for a reason I think we are a progress of evolution, and a part of earths global ecosystem. I
believe that we have the ability to create our own lives and act as we please, just with someone
watching over us. We have choices for which we are responsible and we make mistakes because
that is what we are, human. Man is neither good nor bad, we were born not one way or the other
at birth but our choices and environment whether good or bad sculpted us into what we are. I do
believe that there is some exception to that, some people I truly believe are born evil, mentally
ill, and do very bad things with their lives. We should try to better ourselves in order to better the
people around us to create an overall well-being which is the main goal for humanity, amongst
other things.
Last but not least we have axiology, which covers personal values and what exactly is
value. Whether it is objective or relative, or absolute or relative. It also covers where value

comes from, and if there is a highest good, then what is it? As well as what do you as an
individual consider right or wrong? It is all up to the particular themselves.
Value is different to every individual, what I see as value may hold differently to
someone else. I think we decide on our own what is value, as used in the text The degree to
which something has fulfillment or desire. So if something makes you feel good and means a
lot to you it has more value. There are several kinds of value, including non-moral values and
moral values. Value is subjective, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you decide what valuable
to you. Value is also relative, the value of something varies to the individual, as well as the time
and place and culture. I believe that the highest good is personal happiness and well being.
Whatever brings happiness is whats right, and that counts for the individual as well as the others
around them, whatever brings happiness to the most people is what is right.
After looking at all of my conclusions I believe that they are pretty consistent all around,
I think that a huge factor for all of them is based on whether you believe in a higher power or
not, I feel like a lot of sub-categories of your worldview center around that one belief and it
drives your worldview in a direction one way or another. My beliefs seem to fit pretty well
together, I don't necessarily see any missing pieces that dont fit in with the rest of the puzzle.
The main point that drives my view is obviously my belief of there being a god, and spirits.
Believing in a higher power and that there is more to life than just matter. Everyones worldview
can vary, and however you decipher your beliefs will guide you through decisions you make and
can help you reason with the decisions you make in the future.
Word count: 1661

Funk, K. (2001, March 21). What is a Worldview? Retrieved January 7, 2015, from http://
web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~funkk/personal/worldview.html