What is a worldview?

A worldview is a way of looking at and explaining life and the world.  It serves as a lens through which the world is interpreted.  It typically consists of a set of beliefs that influences a person's perspective, values, and actions.  A worldview is a type of belief system or ideology.  A person’s worldview can influence the way everything in the world is viewed, interpreted, and explained.

There are many questions in life, but some are more important than others.  A worldview typically addresses life's biggest questions, including:

  • How did we get here?  This question addresses origins. 

  • Why are we here?  This question addresses meaning.

  • Where are we going?  This question addresses the future and the afterlife.

  • Who's in charge?  This question addresses the existence of a supreme being.

  • What is true?  This question is about the nature of truth and whether it is objective or subjective.  If truth is objective, what is it based on? In other words, what is the source of truth?

  • What is right and what is wrong?  This question deals with morality.  Are right and wrong based on an objective set of moral standards or are they based on a person’s or group’s feelings, desires or standards that fit the time and place?

There are hundreds of worldviews.  Most worldviews have a strong religious component.  Some worldviews, though, focus more on an economic system, politics, or a social issue.

WorldviewU provides training and education about the major worldviews.  It is a “university” of sorts (thus the “U” in WorldviewU) for learning about the different ways people view and interpret the world.  Another purpose of WorldviewU is to show that all religions are not the same.  Although there are similarities, religions widely differ on the concepts of a supreme being, the nature of mankind, life after death, and the path to salvation.

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.

Worldview examples:

  • Animal rights activism

  • Atheism

  • Baha’i

  • Buddhism

  • Christianity

  • Communism

  • Confucianism

  • Feminism

  • Hinduism

  • Islam

  • Jainism

  • Judaism

  • Marxism

  • New Age

  • Paganism

  • Shintoism

  • Sikhism

  • Taoism

  • White supremacy

  • Zoroastrianism