Philosophical view about notions about humans and the vast universe that we live in - Essay Example

Philosophical view about notions about humans and the vast universe that we live in Philosophers have different worldviews of their own; they vary and arrive at a particular worldview using different routes, proving and disproving their already held notions about humans and the vast universe that we live in. It takes more than a decade to discover the world, the humans, the nature of our existence, and the relationship of things, animate and inanimate with one another although worldviews start to arise at an early age. However, according to Bufford, people only begin to talk about their worldviews later in life when they discover that they have different worldviews with other people; to some extent, others have a fairly radical view of the world and its existence compare to ours (293). Despite the differences, worldviews are integral part of our lives because they mold our understanding of the world and of ourselves (293). Prior to taking the course, I had a fairly respect to religions and the reason for their establishment, which means that there is an acknowledgement of the role of religion in guiding its followers’ actions into what it deems morally acceptable. Conceding to the fact that religion is only created by a human being, say Paul the Apostle for Roman Catholicism, I joined with Sigmund Freud in believing that yes, religion drives people into wishful thinking. Freud, as a staunch critic of religion and in fact an atheist himself, had somehow influenced the way I view the world and religion. I believed in self-determination that our selves are only to be blamed for our fate, and our success is credited for our wholehearted efforts. However, Freud is situated on the radical side while I start to realize that Blaise Pascal must be right. His point made sense in my own discernment when he said that there is truth in believing that something or someone exists without actually proving scientifically that it or he exists. Pascal’s Pensees is one of the readings that challenged, changed, and expanded my worldview. My previous worldview and religious philosophy are characterized by selfish reasons and responsibility on my part alone that myself is the only one I can turn to and rely in whatever pursuits. Pascal has quite disproved my beliefs. “The things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal,” the apostle Paul was quoted uttering these words (Dawson 10). Pensees reminds me of an example about numbers like how can anyone postulate that 1 plus 1 is really equal to two while other great thinkers have already disproved the end. We believe because there is an unexplainable faith beyond seen objects. As Beck calls it, we have this so-called “worldview defense” when questions from an existential point of view threat us (143). Beck characterized this kind of defense as destructive, such as when we are confronted with death and end up becoming selfish in order to escape from it (143). I believe that my worldview centers on the fact that our spirituality is able to discern right and wrong things from each other. Our religious beliefs fuel goodness, selflessness, and other altruistic acts. In fact, our spiritual being is the one responsible for seeking morally upright actions and work to do. Furthermore, Clive Staples Lewis’ transition from being an atheist to a Christian has also influenced my worldview. Nicholi narrates Lewis’ thoughts regarding the Christian faith, which state that “There is one God... Jesus Christ is His only Son” (39). Lewis is a contemporary philosopher in the truest sense, but relied on Immanuel Kant’s idea that we can view the world in “the starry heavens above and the moral law within” (Nicholi 37). This, too, has expanded my view regarding religion, life, and intelligence. There is a supreme force that governs the world and everything in it, and that the existence of God is not a mere figment of imagination as what Freud believes. Metaphysics The field of metaphysics, pioneered by Aristotle, serves as a guide in developing my worldview. Basically, it enhances my understanding about the world, my existence, and the causality of things in this world. Among the particular concepts in metaphysics are about religion and spirituality. My transition from being a passive believer of a supreme being to a fik belief that indeed, there is truth to this abstract theory about God’s existence can be developed using the understanding of metaphysics. Loomis and Rodriguez state that God does exist and has an unexplainable power to control reality, and will forever be the source of all goodness and intelligence (115). However, these authors radically shifted their beliefs regarding the power of metaphysics over things and concepts that are considered worldly. Loomis and Rodriguez claim that the power of politics shapes people’s present theism. They revealed that the foundation for the common law is anchored now on the basis of a new “methodological model for ethics, politics, law, and public education” (Loomis and Rodriguez 116). In their own word, “Reality itself has given a way to understanding of reality” (Loomis and Rodriguez 116). Ontology characterizes God as a being, but with the special qualification “being the highest or first being” (Puntel 13). In all ways, ontology, as loosely metaphysics, is an inquisitive venture towards understanding the very nature of God. Within the depths and embryology of metaphysics, God is conceived to be a kind of being. In understanding the world, there is a need to divide it into pieces so that it is easily digested. For instance, metaphysics allows us to paint a picture of reality as a whole, meaning our understanding of the totality of the universe is largely upon the tiny pieces that make the whole sum. The same is true with understanding God. I believe that the chronology of past events that pertains to God’s life and the tiny pieces that constitute the world are enough to affirm my belief in a supreme being. Importance of Studying Different Philosophies Philosophy, as an intellectual discipline, challenges us to seek for truth and answers to questions regarding the very nature of our existence and the universe (Hamilton 65). Furthermore, it is important to understand not just one branch of philosophy but an understanding of multiple perspectives. The world and our nature of existence can be more understood from different perspectives because there are multiple ways of looking at things, for instance, utilitarianism interprets a certain action differently from Kant’s categorical perspective. It generates a sense of open-mindedness when analyzing the world using different vantage points. It eradicates our biases that affect the way we treat people and rationalize our actions. Even philosophy relating culture with the way we held our prejudices and philosophies in life can also be another perspective in understanding the world and our existence. That is why I strongly believe that it is impossible to attain knowledge using a single vantage point because knowledge is about sifting through tiny particles in order to arrive at a plausible knowledge. Knowledge is also about integration in which every matter and particle is connected with each other. However, there could be a single worldview that is true, and the possibility is high. Out of hundred researches, there is someone out there who arrived at answers that are not only logical but can be proven to be true. The Christian faith absolutely believes in a doctrine unique to the followers of Christ and holds beliefs regarding life after death and lake of fire. Contesting the dogmas present in Christianity is likely impossible because it is an absolutist perspective. In fact, the Bible is a living proof of that firm belief. Works Cited Beck, Richard. “Defensive Versus Existential Religion: Is Religious Defensiveness Predictive of Worldview Defense.” Journal of Psychology and Theology 34.2 (2006): 142-152. Print. Bufford, Rodger K. “Philosophical Foundations for Clinical Supervision within a Christian Worldview.” Journal of Psychology and Christianity 26.4 (2007): 293-297. Print. Dawson, J. W. The Origin of the World According to Revelation and Science. Chicago: Mundus Publishing, 2008. Print. Hamilton, Christopher. Understanding Philosophy. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes Ltd, 2003. Print. Loomis, Steven R., and Jake Rodriguez. “The Incontrovertible Ontological Fact of God: Newdow, State Education, and the Status of God.” Journal of Church and State 46.1 (2004): 115-130. Print. Nicholi, Armand M. The Question of God: C. S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life. New York: Free Press, 2002. Print. Puntel, Lorenz B. “Metaphysics: A Traditional Mainstay of Philosophy in Need of Radical Thinking.” The Review of Metaphysics 65.2 (2011): 1-20. Print. Read More