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Colton Trujillo
Ways of Knowing
4/10/15
My Worldview
During Ken Funks essay What is a Worldview he quotes the Oxford English Dictionary’s
definition of a worldview. It defines a worldview as “a contemplation of life, [a] view of life, …
[a] particular philosophy of life.” Funk takes this definition and expands upon it by stating that
our worldview is “the basic, general, and fundamental knowledge on which particular beliefs,
and intents for external action are based.” We use our worldviews to shape our interactions
within society. According to Funk those who do not take the time to form a worldview, or at
least a rough one, they will become slave to their emotions and risk acting irrationally and
impulsively. He believes that a worldview is comprised of seven different elements:
epistemology, metaphysics, cosmology, teleology, theology, anthropology and axiology.
The first belief, epistemology, deals with ones beliefs about nature and the source of
knowledge. Ones beliefs on what qualifies as knowledge fall into this category. The difference
between faith and knowledge is incorporated into epistemology. What qualifies as knowledge
and faith may differ for each individual. Ones beliefs in epistemology dictate what they believe
is evidence and affects how certain one may be in their knowledge. One may believe that
certainty is possible. If so then this may mean that one is confident in their beliefs and may
believe that extreme measures are justified if they fall in line with the certainty of their beliefs.
Beliefs should, in my personal opinion, be justified with a large amount of evidence.
Knowledge isn’t justified or even knowledge unless it can be proven to be a fact. Over time
science has been shown to be the most efficient way at supplying and proving knowledge. The
field’s basis revolves around a scientific method developed specifically to either prove or
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Colton Trujillo
Ways of Knowing
4/10/15
My Worldview
disprove a theory. Knowledge and faith differ in the evidence present. Knowledge is, or at least
should be, based upon hard evidence that can back up a claim. Faith on the other hand is beliefs
that are based upon a lack of evidence. Hope is what fuels faith. This doesn’t mean that
knowledge is good and faith is bad though. Faith can, for many, be just as important as proven
knowledge. Having an ideal or devotion may help someone stay motivated and stay centered
with their worldview. Faith only becomes risky when combined with certainty. Certainty only
exists in an ideal world. Even scientific theories that have been accepted as certain truths have
been proven to be wrong or an approximation such as Newtonian physics. At this point in time
we have cannot guarantee certainty. With knowledge we have evidence to back it up that proves
it right close to 100% of the time. With faith there is no evidence at all. Actions based solely
upon faith are risky due to the consequences being unknown. Without evidence there is no way
how the action will turn out. It is this reason that evidence is important.
Funk’s second factor in one’s worldview is that of metaphysics, or “the beliefs you hold
about the ultimate nature of Reality.” This category houses the philosophical naturalist and
idealist. The naturalist, or a materialist, believes that the universe consists solely of matter,
energy, and information. The idealist believes that there is a “supernatural something”, perhaps
a god or other unseen force such as fate or destiny, at work in the universe. Metaphysics also
incorporates one’s beliefs of truth. Funk describes three major theories on truth.
Correspondence truth consists of believing that there is a direct relationship between knowledge
in one’s mind and what exists outside the mind. Pragmatists believe that truth is what works. If
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Colton Trujillo
Ways of Knowing
4/10/15
My Worldview
something works for you then it is true for you. The third category is those who believe truth is
consistent knowledge.
My opinions on metaphysics fall in with the materialists. The world has little to no
evidence to support any supernatural presence. The mind itself is comprised of matter just like
the rest of the universe. Reality however is very observer dependent. We may each be in the
same reality but the way we interpret it is unique. The way I interpret reality is much different
from those who view it from a religious point of view. I view reality as having a very material
nature. Without evidence I see no reason to support the belief of supernatural forces controlling
life.
The third factor made by Funk is that of cosmology described by Funk as being one’s
beliefs about the origin of the universe and Man. The origin of the universe is most commonly
divided into two groups. One believing it is due to the response of matter and energy in the
natural world (The Big Bang is the common theory in this case) while the other believes that it is
due to a supernatural creator forming the universe out of nothing. The origin of Man is one of
the most divided issues in history. One group believes our origins are due to natural selection
and the theory of evolution first proposed by Charles Darwin. The second group contrasts this in
their beliefs which consist of a divine supernatural being creating life as we see it today out of
nothing. There is a group that lays in-between these that believe in the creation of life by a
supernatural being that then evolved into what we see and are today.
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Colton Trujillo
Ways of Knowing
4/10/15
My Worldview
The theory of the big bang and evolution is the theory that I personally hold to be true.
The evidence to support the big bang has been presented multiple times. The concept of a
supernatural being creating the universe is unsupported. The origin of man follows in the same
path. All life being created in a split second due to a supernatural force instead of natural
occurrences is, to me, seemingly implausible. It seems even more implausible due to the
evidence of evolution. The proof that has been presented in support of evolution is simply too
great to ignore.
The lack of evidence to support the existence of a God falls in line with my beliefs about
the existence, or lack thereof, of a supernatural being. Believing in an all power being who may
or may not have a hand in everything seems to me to a bit farfetched. For some having a faith
and believing in a God is quite beneficial. It drives them to be a good and moral person so as to
abide by his wishes. They may cling to their beliefs with utter devotion even in the face of facts
that prove nothing about God’s existence. Personally I see no need for this faith in my life.
Some say it’s a very fulfilling life, however I’ve grown to be a skeptic partially due to the lack of
proof. Without evidence I don’t believe in worshipping a being that may not even be real.
Funk’s sixth worldview factor is anthropology, or one’s beliefs about Man. The question
raised by many here is “what is Man?” One may seem Man as a creation of God; an aspect of
life that was created out of nothing by a supernatural being. Others may see Man as a step
forward on the evolutionary scale. Perhaps we are evolving towards a valued end. Man’s place
in the universe may also be discussed in this belief factor. Man may be insignificant in the
universe or he may be only a stepping stone on the way to a higher functioning being. The free
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Colton Trujillo
Ways of Knowing
4/10/15
My Worldview
will of Man is questioned by many. DO we even have free will? One may believe we are
controlled purely by a God, or perhaps we have the ability to live and choose our actions with at
least some freedom. The final question raised is if Man is good or evil. This belief ties in
closely with the next belief factor of axiology. Many beliefs are grounded in Christianity which
believes that man is naturally sinful. Others believe Man is basically good and only wants what
is best for our kind and the universe.
The thought of Man being a step in evolution contains evidence. This theory seems
plausible due to the fact that we can point to numerous findings and see the proof in front of our
eyes. Our personally place in the universe seems rather insignificant. We’re merely along for
the ride. I believe that Man has at least some free will. We may be slave to our emotions and
instincts at times but the majority of the time we are able to reason and make informed decisions.
Many who don’t are not lacking in free will. They merely chose not to become informed about
their decision.
Funk’s final point is that of axiology, the belief about what is good and bad or what is
moral and immoral. Each worldview element ties into axiology in some way. Value may be
one’s personal preference or it may be the true object of one’s desire. Value appears to be a very
primitive and natural aspect that may be indefinable. Many acknowledge that there are many
types of value such as economic, aesthetic, or morals. Value may be perceived as being
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Colton Trujillo
Ways of Knowing
4/10/15
My Worldview
subjective to each individual. Axiology forms the base for one’s worldview and thus is the most
important factor to consider starting out.
The belief in numerous types of value is one that rings true for me. A five dollar bill has
much different value a prized novel. The novel may cost more or less in economic terms but I
don’t think of the novel in economic terms. I value it for its story and what it symbolizes for me.
Value is, in my opinion, subject to interpretation. Everyone values different aspects in their
individual life. Where something may completely useless me it may be treasured greatly by
another.
Reading through the previous paragraphs dealing my beliefs sheds light on my worldview
tendencies that I never deeply considered before. Plotting out this essay is when it first became
clear where my worldview is truly grounded. Evidence is to me one of the most important
factors in someone’s beliefs. Without proof I have no reason to believe in it. The questions of
evolution and the origin of the universe seem to be clear to me. There’s evidence to support a
scientific answer to these questions. While I support those who have faith and devote time to
worshipping a being that may not even exist I personally find no need. No reason to devote time
to something that has no evidence to support its existence. It may seem cynical to some but the
materialistic view of the universe is the one that makes sense to me.
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Colton Trujillo
Ways of Knowing
4/10/15
My Worldview
One’s worldview is what helps shape them. It helps define not just who they are but how
they view everyone else. These seven factors each play a unique role in shaping one’s
worldview. Some base a worldview off of faith. Some off of hard evidence. Either way the
worldview that one has is constantly developing as we live. What we believe as a child may be
proven wrong. Others take a leap of faith and trust hope as their evidence. Either way, the
worldview is what shapes us each and is what helps us understand the world we live in.