Worldview Analysis and Personal Inventory Discussion Paper

Based on the required topic study materials, write a reflection about worldview and respond to following:

In 250-300 words, explain the Christian perspective of the nature of spirituality and ethics in contrast to the perspective of postmodern relativism within health care.
In 250-300 words, explain what scientism is and describe two of the main arguments against it.
In 750-1,000 words, answer each of the worldview questions according to your own personal perspective and worldview:
What is ultimate reality?
What is the nature of the universe?
What is a human being?
What is knowledge?
What is your basis of ethics?
What is the purpose of your existence?
Remember to support your reflection with the topic study materials.

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Worldview analysis and personal inventory

Christian perspective of the nature of spirituality and ethics in contrast to the perspective of postmodern relativism within health care

Christianity perceives spirituality as the link between theology and religion whereby the Creator is identified as God who has dominion over all beings and creations. God is all-powerful and controls everything. As such, spirituality reflects the meaning, purpose, and truth of life, while introducing a transcendent view to the human experience of living. The implication is that spirituality has a theological and symbolic function. On the other hand, ethics is perceived as conformity with spirituality and the conditions it presents, especially when there is not uncertainty over expectations. Is it evident that Christianity has a unique perspective of ethics and spirituality, and this has consequences for healthcare, especially when healthcare is viewed as professional practice seeking to lessen human suffering as an ethical imperative. Through incorporating spirituality and ethics, medical personnel are justified in their professional actions to augment and restore the wellbeing of patients (Heinrichs, Oser & Lovat, 2013).  Worldview Analysis and Personal Inventory Discussion Paper

Postmodern relativism does not view spirituality as an absolute truth. Rather, it conceives that there is no absolute truth, and that what is perceived as the truth is simply a condensation of the available understanding. It advances the notion that every understanding presents a perspective of the truth and none should be ignored or disparaged. To be more precise, every belief to include spirituality and religion, should be viewed as subjective and not an absolute truth such that even contradictory ideas should be considered as equally valid. With regards to ethics, postmodern relativism views it as subjective truth based on the perspective. What is considered as unethical from one perspective can be considered as ethical from another perspective. This has implications for health care through allowing for a person-centered care approach that allows each patient to present an opinion that is accepted and acted upon (Zavada, 2019).

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Scientism

Scientism is the spiritual belief that hard sciences are the only source of true and genuine knowledge about reality. Hard sciences are identified as any study that produces testable and factual data that can be replicated to include chemistry, biology, physics, and astronomy. It particularly notes that soft sciences (such as philosophy, ethics and religion) can only offer conjecture and inferior knowledge about reality, relying more on presumptions than fact. It explains that hard sciences acquire their conclusions from skepticism, experimentation, and falsification even as they search for basic principles to explain reality thus identifying them as having the intellectual authority to offer real knowledge. On the other hand, soft sciences are subjective, relying more on personal opinion to offer subjective opinions so that any conclusion identified as truth is in fact an indication of bigotry and intolerance (Moreland, 2018).

Scientism explains the value of sciences in explaining reality. Still, there are two issue with its arguments. The first issue is that hard sciences are reliant on the technology available at the time, to imply that truth could change if new and technology that is more sensitive is presented. Just like soft sciences, hard sciences only offer a view of reality. Scientism would only be valid if hard sciences produced inflexible principles and irrefutable facts. As such, both hard and soft sciences provide disputable facts that are adapted as new evidence is offered. The second issue is that scientism is inflexible and tyrannical, promoting a dangerous trend of bloodless rationalism that disregards soft sciences that are as important as hard sciences in providing knowledge (Briggs, 2019).

What is ultimate reality?

Ultimate reality is the perception that every individual is resultant of previous interactions with the environment. These interactions shape and influence behavior, thought, and comprehensions of reason for existence. For example, individuals will typically follow the same religion or culture as their ancestors so that their family as an environment influences them. It must be noted that the ultimate reality is limited to reason and experience that influence the capacity for adequate comprehension of why humans exist.

What is the nature of the universe?

The universe is an evolving existence that barely maintains a state of balance through energy conversions, competition, and evolution processes. Firstly, the sun and other stars are the main source of energy that is converted to other forms to power the universe. This energy keeps all celestial bodies in motion. The energy conversion causes some of the energy to be lost so that everything goes through a period of growth that is followed by decay. Secondly, there is competition for the available energy with those capable of getting more energy to meet their needs thriving and surviving for longer than their counterparts that are outcompeted. Thirdly, there is evolution whereby everything seeks to outcompete the others and adapt to the environment so that it is not selected for elimination.

What is a human being?

Human beings are organisms with biological properties, and who have the capacity for higher thought processes that allows them to adapt the environment to their needs. This capacity has been used to develop machines, clothing, and food that improves life experiences. In addition, human beings are a biological species capable of reproducing among themselves.

What is knowledge?

Knowledge refers to the cognitive capacity that includes the facts, information and skills acquired through theoretical knowledge and practical experiences. The cognitive capacity allows individuals to have familiarity and gain awareness of their environments and the associated situations so that they are better equipped to handle them.

What is your basis of ethics?

Ethics has two basis. The first basis is personal perspective that is determined by what the individual considers as right or wrong. This is developed from interactions with the environment and is influenced by family, society, culture, community, and religion. The second basis is public perspective, which is what the immediate environment considers as right and wrong. The public perspective takes precedence over the personal perspective when the two are in conflict.

What is the purpose of your existence?

I believe that I exist to make an indelible mark on this world. My life must be meaningful and purpose so that my presence serves a purpose. Although I may not be able to influence the lives of a lot of people, I should at least be able to influence the life of one person who would be thankful that I was around. I can best achieve this through acquiring knowledge and applying that knowledge in an ethical manner. Besides that, I should not leave the world worse that I found it.

References

Briggs, W. (2019). In opposition to scientism. Retrieved from https://wmbriggs.com/post/26885/

Heinrichs, K., Oser, F. & Lovat, T. (2013). Handbook of moral motivation: theories, models, and applications. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.

Moreland, J. (2018). What is scientism? Retrieved from https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-is-scientism/

Zavada, J. (2019). Postmodernism definition. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-postmodernism-700692

Worldview Analysis and Personal Inventory Discussion Paper