Worldview Reflection Paper
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Worldview Reflection Paper
- What is Your Worldview?
Every person holds and operates from a particular perspective or framework of the world. Our answers to the most straightforward casual thoughts to profound questions indicate that we all view the world differently. Sire (2009) termed those interpretations of the universe as “worldviews.” Simply put, a person’s worldview is the set of beliefs and ideologies that they hold to be true and live by. It is a set of glasses/goggles which we put on daily, allowing us to see the world from our understanding of reality. They are the set of assumptions, true or false, that we hold consciously or subconsciously, about the world (Sire, 2015). This article will expound on what my worldview is, according to Sire’s rubric.
According to Sire (2009), a worldview can be defined as a commitment or vital orientation of the heart that may be conveyed as a story or through presuppositions about the fundamental reality, and that offers foundations on how we live or move. Sire (2009) opines that one’s worldview can be expressed in propositions. As such, he gives seven central questions that generate a person’s perspective of the world. I was born into a staunch Christian family, with parents who made sure we followed in their footsteps in terms of religion. As such, I believe I fit into the Christian theist worldview, according to Sire’s description. I think the prime reality is the omnipotent, omniscient, personal, infinite, and good God as per the Bible.
According to Christian teachings, God created the world ex nihilo and in uniformity. He spoke it into existence, according to Genesis 1. According to the Bible, human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. As a Christian, I believe that when people die, they are transformed, and they either got to heaven to be united with God or to hell. Further, we can know things because we were created in God’s image, and He is all-knowing.
Additionally, to know what is right, Christianity guides us that we are made in the likeness of God, who is right and is the source and guide of morality. According to my religion, human history helps to know God’s purpose in one’s life and for preparation for a future life in communion with our loving God. In conclusion, my worldview is Christian theism; it is the grid through which I view life and has shaped my thoughts, values, and choices to date.
- What is your understanding of Human Uniqueness and Interconnectedness from your worldview perspective?
My worldview perspective is centered around Christian theism. According to Christianity, human beings were made uniquely from other creations of God. However, all of creation is interconnected. Human uniqueness comprises those aspects that separate human beings from animals, plants, waters, and other creations. This paper discusses my understanding of human uniqueness and interconnectedness as per my worldview. According to my Christian theist world perspective, human beings were the only creation made in the image and likeness of God as per Genesis 1:26-27. This means that human beings are like God and possess His qualities. Some of these characteristics include having a personality, self-transcendence, and intelligence, just like our Creator.
In Christianity, our personality is based on God’s character in that we are always longing for Him and seek a personal relationship with Him. We are also transcendent in that we act, think, react, and decide differently hence reflecting God’s transcendence. We are intelligent and can discern things because of our knowledge and reason. Human beings are also unique because they are the only creation given dominion over other creatures that God created as per Genesis 1: 26-27. We believe that God formed and filled the earth, and human beings were then given the royal and priestly God-given duty to represent the Almighty by filling and organizing the earth. Additionally, humans are unique because God not only speaks about them but addresses them; hence, there exists a personal relationship between God and us. Genesis 1:28 illustrates this.
According to Genesis and Christian theism, human beings are thus interconnected because they are all created in the image of God, having His qualities and acting like Him. We are all transcendent, intelligent, and have a personality just like our Maker. To sum up, Christian theism shows that humans are unique due to their likeness to God, God-given tasks, and relationship to Him but are also interconnected because of that likeness to our Creator.
- How will you live out your worldview perspective, including your understanding of people in your Personal Life?
Coming from a staunch Christian family, I learned to appreciate the teachings as regards human beings. The beliefs and lessons from the Bible are the ones that made it easy to identify my world perspective when doing this assignment. Christian theism has helped me get a grip on understanding human beings, and I most definitely will apply some teachings in my personal life. The article discusses how I will live out my worldview perspective, including my understanding of people in my own life. First, knowing that God is the prime reality will help me coexist with others peacefully because one Creator unifies us; we come from the same God, and that is a beautiful common aspect to share as human beings.
Additionally, I will participate more in conserving the environment, caring for animals, and social responsibility because God gave us responsibility for His creation. He charged us to take care of the rest of creation. Taking care of the environment is also part of my understanding that God created the earth in uniformity, and causes have effects. I will also try to live righteously according to the Christian teachings and commandments because of the belief that at the end of this life, we shall be united with God in heaven. Christian theism also taught me that we are made in God’s image, and we can be personal, intelligent, and transcendent. The teaching is useful because it will help me appreciate and love people from all walks of life; it will help me help prisoners, the sick, and street families because we are alike.
Further, the same teaching will help me be more forgiving because, indeed, people are transcendent, and we act, react, and live differently. For instance, if someone wrongs me and chooses not to apologize, I will forgive them instead of trying to keep score. These are some of the ways I will live out my Christian theism perspective and equally understand people through that lens.
- What is Your Philosophy of Leadership? You may include personal examples of leaders from your personal, academic, and employment experiences.
A leadership philosophy shows a person’s ideas, attributes, and expectations in terms of their approach to leadership. Rugerro et al., (2013) said that successful leaders have a Personal Leadership Philosophy and communicate it by living it passionately daily through their actions. A leadership philosophy comprises of the core values which a person lives by, expects of others, and states what people should expect of that person (Rugerro et al., 2013). This paper will illustrate my philosophy of leadership using examples of leaders across the board. My first philosophy of leadership is borrowed from an exemplary leader that everyone knows and appreciates, Oprah Winfrey. The philosophy echoes what my father taught us as we grew up that ultimately, at the end of the day, we are responsible for our lives.
George (2015) quotes when Oprah explains her show’s theme, which reiterates my philosophy. Oprah was sexually traumatized while growing up and grew up blaming herself and trying to please others, but she finally realized the secret was to follow her heart and be responsible for her life. My other leadership is reiterated by Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s former president, who believed in reconciliation and no retribution. Though tortured by the Whites while in prison for 27 years, he said he felt no animosity towards them but only wanted to serve all of his people. I believe in a leadership that unites everyone without any prejudice. Warren Buffet’s views also shape my leadership philosophy. Warren Buffet, though among the most celebrated businessmen, retains his modesty and humility, treats others as equals, and advises others to be nice people. My third philosophy echoes the same; be a kind, humble, and modest person who treats others with respect and as equals.
- How will you live out your worldview and leadership perspectives in your Vocational Calling and Work-Life?
My worldview and leadership perspective will shape my approach in my vocation and work life. As earlier mentioned, my world view borrows from Christian Theism, where I believe in God and the fact that human beings are made in His image and likeness. My leadership perspectives include being responsible for one’s life as reiterated by Oprah Winfrey and being a kind, humble person who treats others as equals like Warren Buffet. Additionally, having a reconciliation type of leadership instead of retribution of people is my other philosophy. I believe my calling has always been to help people, do a lot of social responsibility and to bring change in this world. This paper attempts to explain how I will live out my worldview and leadership perspectives in my vocational calling and work life.
I am currently studying my law degree, and hopefully, I will become a great attorney in the future. In living out my worldview, I will try to treat others well because we are all created by God and are made in His image and likeness. When I become an attorney, I will inspire my colleagues and young lawyers or pupils to take responsibility for their actions and life. I will treat my associates with respect, and as equals by giving them tasks I would do and implementing their ideas in my firm. Lastly, I will incorporate reconciliation and peace as core values in my firm. Instead of using punitive measures, we will seek peaceful ways to settle disputes.
References
George, B. (2015). Discover your true north. John Wiley & Sons.
Ruggero, E., & Haley, D. F. (2013). The Leader’s Compass: A Personal Leadership Philosophy is Your Key for Success. Academy Leadership.
Sire, J. W. (2015). Naming the elephant: Worldview as a concept. InterVarsity Press.
Sire, J. W. (2009). The universe next door: A basic worldview catalog. InterVarsity Press.