Running head: NAMING THE ELEPHANT: A REFLECTION
Naming the Elephant: A Reflection
Paula Grundy
Siena University
History and Philosophy of Ideas
GRS 601
Dr. Patricia L. McDonald
October 14, 2012
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NAMING THE ELEPHANT: A REFLECTION
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Naming the Elephant: A Reflection
What shapes our thought processes our ideas and presumptions? How are our concepts
developed? Does our lifestyle or culture impact our mindset or beliefs? These questions and
answers collectively with others assist us in developing our world views. But first we must come
to an understanding that everyone has a world view; whether they realize it or not. The question
then becomes; what exactly is a worldview and how is it developed? According to Sire, a
worldview is a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a
story or in a set of presuppositions or assumptions which may be true, partially true or entirely
false which we hold consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently about the basic
constitution of reality, and that provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our
being (Sire, 2004). In the book naming the Elephant the author analysis’s world views of others
while assisting me to better comprehend and articulate my own world view.
The first chapter of the book is based on a story of a son asking his father a question
about what holds up the world. This analogy set the precedence of world views. The author gives
two viewpoints based on scientific knowledge and spiritual knowledge (Sire, 2004).. The end
result of these fundamental ideas was that something exists. Often when I am speaking to
someone regarding Christianity they often ask me how I know that God exists the answer they
are looking for is beyond the bible, or sermons. At this point in our discussion I begin to speak
on testimonies; personal stories of how God worked miracles in my life. Sometimes it doesn’t
give them exactly what it is their looking for but it does set a foundation that something does
exist. The story of the son and his father did just that it set a premise that something exists
whether we agree on what is the next question.
NAMING THE ELEPHANT: A REFLECTION
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Next, Sire begins to explain the history of world renowned philosophers and how their
world views were developed. He explains how they influenced worldviews on the Christen and
secular communities. The logic and sequence of the explanations was difficult to understand and
after reviewing the concepts several times the conclusion was one of disagreement. It did
however allow me to examine the perspective of others and it also gave me insight into how their
culture, scientific backgrounds and non-belief influenced their opinions also. What I thought was
obvious to many about my faith may not be understood by others and it allowed me to not have
assuming answers. I was able to see my worldview from a different perspective but in the end
you must take one stance or another (Sire, 2004, p. 21).
In the book the author gives you a set of seven basic questions as a tool so that you can
analyze and define your world view. The questions were as follows; what is prime reality? What
is the nature of external reality, that is, the world around us? What is a human being? What
happens to persons at death? Why is it possible to know anything at all? How do we know what
is right or wrong? What is the meaning of human history? (Sire, 2004, p. 20). Answering these
questions has allowed me to reflect on my faith and beliefs it supported my initial opinion that
my belief lies in the Christian world view. There were many statement connected to the Christian
world view that brought me enlightenment but two stood out among the others it stated that as
Christians we believe that truth is truth and that contradictory statements cant both be true. My
belief is that there is only one true God and that we have redemption and relationship through
His son Jesus Christ through the communion of the Holy Ghost. That is my truth. It also states
that there are two basic commitments, leading to two basic conditions of life: “man converted to
God” and “man averted from God”. Simplistic and these two concepts are they hold a lot of
NAMING THE ELEPHANT: A REFLECTION
value. According to Biblical worldviews everyone has a world view and we all have certain
presuppositions and world around us. Our worldview is formed by our education, our
upbringing, the culture we live in, the books we read, the media and the motives we absorb. For
many people their worldview is simply something they have absorbed by osmosis from their
surrounding cultural influences. They have never thought strategically about what they believe
and wouldn’t be able to give a rational defense of their beliefs to others ( Wayne, 2012, p. 1).
The book Naming of the Elephants has separated me from the group of people Wayne is
speaking of; Sire has allowed me a history, knowledge base and concept that will allow me to
take a stance and to also explain why I have come to by conclusion. Ultimately, I have a
worldview that supports the Body of Christ. Amen
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NAMING THE ELEPHANT: A REFLECTION
REFERENCES:
Sire, W. J. (2004). Naming the Elephant. Worldview As A Concept. Downers Grove:
InterVanity Press.
What is a Christian Worldview? (n.d.). Retrieved on October 13, 2012, from
http://christainworldview.net/
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