Tests of a worldview are tests which help in deciding if one’s worldview are integrated, cohesive, and consistent. Our beliefs in death, afterlife, and God are examples in how these worldviews can be different from someone else's. Some people may have other values and what they feel is a meaningful life. There are people who value nature, facts, and science while others follow the Bible. Situations like these can cause two people to look at life differently and disagree with ideas. To understand worldviews, one must know what it actually means. A worldview is how one with their beliefs understands the life experiences they have experienced. The way we see the world affects our thoughts, feelings, and how we live our lives. The questions we have about life help in knowing what our own worldviews are. It helps in understanding who we are as individuals. Reflecting is the difference human beings from animals or inanimate objects. Everyone has a worldview and tests that show if they are integrated, cohesive, and consistent are helpful in them not being poor.
One of these tests is the test of consistency. The purpose of this test is to check if one's actions are connected with their beliefs. If we do not practice these tests then we will believe anything and everything. Morris states that “we’re bombarded every day by claims that we must be able to evaluate” (Morris, 1999). Additionally, he mentions how appearances and realities are two completely different things which can affect a worldview. It is a skill to be able to assess a claim similarly to how a doctor assesses symptoms or a lawyer does in their profession. In addition, the purpose of such tests is to help with views that are conflicting. With these tests one can question if their own beliefs are true. A view can be tested to find evidence that it is a view that should be believed. With these tests questions can arise. For instance, one of them can be is this view that a family member believes correct for me? Am I automatically going accept this belief and adopt as my own? Am I going to buy into this idea I am being sold or think for myself? Questions like these may be helpful when one does not want to believe everything they are being told.
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There are various other worldviews that are explained within our textbooks which are coherent, complete, and correct. They are explained to be the 3 C’s, which are basic questions that aid in coming to a stance about a view. When one is checking to see if a worldview is coherent, they are basically seeing if it is consistent. If a view does not make sense or does not match with the actions of a person then something is off about that worldview. When checking to see if it is completed one is seeing if the claim has any missing details about its story. For example, if someone were to just make a claim but not explain why or how that claim came to be. Is it easy to understand or is the way of belief all over the place. The last C is my favorite as it tests the correctness of the claim. Morris could not have explained it better when he mentioned, “Coherence is necessary; completeness is important; but only correctness, in addition, gives you what you fully need” when explaining each of the 3 C’s” (Morris, 1999). We need facts if we are going to take on a worldview since it shapes the way one feels, thinks, and our actions. Another article that explains the same thing is written by James Sire, which states, “Assumptions that may be true, conscious, consistent” (Sire, n.d.).
In my opinion for each of these tests that were identified have their own purpose and are effective which I will explain. Morris writes how one must check for these components in order to decide if we are going to have a belief. These tests with the help of analysis, assessment, and argument are vital if we want to be closer with reality. He explains that reason is very powerful and with it the truth can be found in a worldview. I also feel one must be understanding of these ideas since everyone's worldview has been formed because of their own experiences. With the help of all of these tests a person can come to a conclusion. I also learned that emotions can distract people to the point they are not using logic. Becoming fully informed about a topic as to where one has educated themselves is a way to practice finding the truth. Another that is very clear when going over our textbook is to ask a lot of questions. An interesting article titled ‘Think Again’ by Ravi Zacharias points out how origin, meaning, morality, and destiny are topics based on worldviews and that they must all be coherent when explained (Zacharias, n.d.).
After taking the consistency test under Your Worldview vs. Your Actions I received results in which my actions are consistent with my beliefs. In my opinion the test was very accurate as that is how I feel. When asked if I lock my car, I answered yes, and when asked if I believe people are good, I answered no. With is my beliefs and actions are considered consisted as I have the assumption that a bad person will steal my car, and it's the reason I lock it. I thought this test was fun to take as I did feel my actions are consistent to my beliefs.
I feel it’s is important that our actions be consistent to our beliefs for the reason that someone could say they believe something but not actually act out on it. For example, if someone were to say they do not believe in the afterlife in order to get others to believe the same but in their own time be obsessed with the idea. We all have different worldviews and there is a reason we do but some are better than others if they are based on facts.
I have learned how to question these worldviews with the first chapters of our textbook as Morris does a great job in explaining tests that can be used in order to find the truth in claims. These claims are views or perspectives that everyone has but that can also not be correct, coherent, and complete. I do feel people should take tests like the test of consistency if they want to get a better understanding of worldviews. If we do not do so we may be in danger of believing anything and everything that is told to us.
References
- Morris, T. (1999). Philosophy for Dummies. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley.
- Sire, J. (2014, February 14). 8 Questions Every Worldview Must Answer. Retrieved from https://www.christianity.com/theology/other-religions-beliefs/8-questions-every-worldview-must-answer.html
- Zacharias, R. (n.d.). Think Again - Deep Questions. Retrieved from https://www.rzim.org/read/just-thinking-magazine/think-again-deep-questions
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