What Questions Does a Worldview Try To Answer?
A worldview typically attempts to answer life’s biggest questions, such as those below.
How did we get here?
This question addresses origins and how the world, life, and humanity began.
Why are we here?
This question addresses meaning, purpose, and the reason for human existence.
Where are we going?
This question addresses the future, death, and whether there is an afterlife.
Who’s in charge?
This question addresses the existence of a supreme being or ultimate authority.
What is true?
This question asks whether truth is objective or subjective, and on what foundation truth is based.
What is right and wrong?
This question deals with morality and whether moral standards are objective or based on personal, cultural, or social views.
Why Worldviews Matter
A worldview is a set of beliefs. And beliefs have consequences. Bad beliefs can have disastrous consequences, while good beliefs can lead to positive outcomes for individuals, societies and entire nations.
Your worldview — your personal set of beliefs — is expressed in your outlook on life and in how you speak and act. Basically, your life expresses your worldview. The “Worldview Tree” below illustrates this. Your worldview lies under the surface because it is fully known only by you. However, your worldview gets expressed outwardly by the way you live – by what you say and what you do. Other people can get glimpses of your worldview by how you express yourself.
Your worldview affects your life here on Earth, along with your eternal destiny. Therefore, the worldview you embrace is vitally important, in this life and the life to come.
By exploring worldviews, it is hoped that you will think about your own worldview and why you hold to it. In the process, your beliefs may be solidified, or you may be challenged to consider a different worldview.
Key Questions about Worldviews
Are all religions basically the same?
Can all worldviews be true?
These questions are addressed in the WorldviewU online course “Longing for Meaning, Purpose and Hope – How Your Worldview Shapes Your Outlook on Life.”
Worldview Examples
Explore Ways People View the World
WorldviewU helps learners compare major worldviews, understand their differences, and think carefully about the answers to life’s biggest questions.