Personal Worldview Inventory: What Happens To A Person At Death (Coursework Sample)

Personal Worldview Inventory Student’s Name: Institutional Affiliation: Date: Personal Worldview Inventory Introduction A worldview refers to the ultimate basis of reality that is usually common among various cultures, made up of norms, values, and classes which provide lenses through which people view the universe (Shelly & Miller, 2006). Everyone has a unique worldview because of the wide perspective. However, there can be similarities in individuals within the same culture, family and community. Spirituality can greatly influence an individuals’ worldview and it needs to be considered in regards to the holistic care of an individual. In a healthcare setting, the philosophical models of postmodernism and scientism are now regarded as the stumbling blocks to full approval of spirituality (Olden, 2015). Personally, my worldview is influenced by my faith, though I cannot ignore my science-rich background which is also present, showing a potential for a pluralistic relationship. There are various meanings of spirituality. Spirituality refers to understanding oneself and being connected to something greater than you. Morman (2015) has described the term spirituality as an individuals’ perception of beliefs that are greatly connected to how they relate to others and their general view towards life. Various theorists such as Vaughan (1991) have described spirituality as “a way through which human beings responds to Gods call to a relationship with himself”. Although the practice of spirituality may not be necessarily religious, it plays a big role in the holistic treatment of patients. Over the years, matters concerning religion and spirituality have been left out in the medical field. For instance, the spirituality of a patient was not recorded in the history of the patient. The spirituality of a patient should be considered as it influences the patient’s worldview and this can be used to provide better healthcare (Puchalski, 2001). Puchalski (2001) asserts that understanding the spirituality of a patient has led to increased recovery times and reduced mortality rates. The only reason to as why the spirituality of a patient has not been included in healthcare is because of the philosophical concepts of postmodernism and scientism. Scientism argues that we cannot accept anything to be real if its acquisition was not scientific. Postmodernism can be compared to relativism as it also rejects all statements of the rationality of science, and total knowledge and role of reason (Taylor &Taylor, 2014). These concepts have completely ignored spirituality as they do not leave space for pluralism and the acceptance of a wide range of practices and beliefs. Answers to James Sire’s Seven Questions 1 What is a prime reality? This worldview questions the nature of reality and what is real in this world. It also seeks to find out whether there is any supernatural being. If there exists, what its look like. Personally, I believe in a supernatural being that is God. 2 What is the nature of the world around us? Different people have different perspectives on the nature of the world around them. This question can be answered by first viewing the world as what it represents. Most people view the world as temporal or eternal, objective or subjective, chaotic or orderly, autonomous or created and impersonal or personal. Personally, I believe in God as a supernatural being who is the creator of the earth, the universe, and man. However, I cannot ignore the concept of the evolution of man and other scientific theories about reality. 3 What is a human being? The modern world definition of human beings is “a complex machine designed to fulfill the core aim of creation, a resting god, or an individual that was created in the image of God”. I tend to conquer with this definition as I also view humans as complex, living, intelligent creatures that were created in the image of God. 4 What happens to a person after death? Up to date, scientists have not given an account of what really happens when a person dies. As a Christian, I have learned that there is a life after death and the person transforms to another state after death. I also believe that we shall be united with those ahead of us and we shall have eternal peace. 5 Why is it possible to know anything at all? I believe it’s possible to know everything at all since God has given the man the power to crack what we don’t know. Human beings are like God since they were created in the image of God. Since God is all knowing, we are also in a position to know everything. 6 How do we know what is right and what is wrong? As believers...