Book Talk 1: Naming the Elephant
Shannon Barker
GRS 601 - History and Philosophy of Ideas
Professor Gary Brown
October 24, 2011
S. Barker Book Talk 1

S. Barker Book Talk 1
Book Talk 1: Naming the Elephant
What lies behind a person's thoughts regarding almost everything? Ones worldview will be different from another's. James W. Sire, author of Naming the Elephant (2004) grabbled with this topic for several years. Sire seemed to have built a reputation of being an expert in worldview analysis. Through Sire's dedication for defining worldview, he has successfully provided the reader with several summaries of worldviews. The study seemed to have been necessary in order for one to adequately analyze oneself, others, cultures, ultimately the world around them, with emphasis on ontology and epistemology. Ultimately this book left me confused about some of Sire's thoughts, yet at the end, my own are more clear.
It feels important to begin with my own confusions. One major point throughout this book is the importance of placing "ontology before epistemology." This phrase is confusing, and
Sire does little to clarify its meaning. Is "before" intended chronologically, in which case Sire seems to suggest that one may not rightly think about how one gains knowledge or justification unless one has already spent time studying what does and does not exist? Or is "before" intended logically, so that Sire is asserting that any headway in epistemology always remains contingent upon ontology – and not vice versa? Sire is not clear on this question, and he seems to be using
"before" in both senses at different points in the book.
We all have worldview, whether we are aware of it or not. We all recognize that something is there. What exactly is there, is where our opinions differ. Sire constructed seven questions to assist with critical thinking to assist with one's own definition of worldview:
1.
What is prime reality?
2.
What is the nature of external reality?
3.
What is a human being?
4.
What happens to a person at death?
5.
Why is it possible to know anything at all?
6.
How do we know what is right and wrong?

S. Barker Book Talk 1
7.
What is the meaning of human history?
These questions are very broad and open ended. The answers could be far different from compared to someone else's. Such as number four, where it asks what happens after a person dies. One person may say that the soul leaves the body and immediately goes to heaven or hell.
Another person may believe in reincarnation, a never ending cycle of life. Ultimately these questions prove that there is no actual proven answer. Thus epistemology would be placed before ontology.
Various philosophies and argumentative views regarding worldview were presented.
Some may believe that God is the ultimate. Sigmund Freud would argue by expressing his disbelief in God. The notion of God derives from the human need for consolation in this hostile world. Freud believes that God, along with the Bible and other religious doctrines, are human inventions. Alvin Plantiga had quoted, "I simply find myself with the belief in God," (Sire,
2004, p. 81). In a sense, believing in God is like our belief that two plus two equals four. We just know that it does. Just because we are unable to see God, does not mean he does not exist.
The same goes with air. We are unable to see it, but know it is there. Sire had much discussion towards the existence of God.
Worldview does not need to be neither conscious or consistent. It does not need to answer every question raised, only those relevant to each person's life situation. Everyone's worldview is a bit different from that of everyone else, more over worldviews can change subtly and unconsciously over the years. Still everyone has a worldview and it is tied to life experiences, and both personal and society behaviors. They are not a system of thought, like of theologies or philosophies. Rather worldviews are perceptual frameworks. We assess whether we hold a particular worldview by observing how we, or others, act. Sire quoted Walsh and

S. Barker Book Talk 1
Middleton as saying, "If we want to understand what people see, or how well people see, we need to watch how they walk. If they bump into certain objects or stumble over them, then we can assume that they are blind to them. Conversely, their eyes may not only see but dwell on certain other objects," (Sire, 2004, p. 98). Worldview is never merely a vision of life. It is always a vision for life. Our view of life affects the life we live. It governs both the unconscious actions we engage in and the actions we ponder through before acting.
Sire pointed out that folklore, myth, and various literatures from around the world tell stories that put present human reality in the larger context of universal cosmic and human meaning. In short, they function as worldview or parts of worldview. The author showed how
Buddhism, Hinduism, and primal religion are embedded into the stories. Some of them tie together into one master story, and used by societies for their own interpretations of worldview.
We all operate from a set of assumptions that may be hidden unconsciously in our minds, such as a private worldview.
What makes worldviews different are the refined shifts, and the heart that grasps to understand them. Anyone's worldview may not change, but their lived-out character will be emphasized. A person may claim to believe in God or is not a racist, however the true test will be on how they behave. So worldview analysis will not solve the problems that threaten others, it will not bring us together. But it will help us understand why we are all similar and yet different. Without this knowledge, we will never understand the heart of our problem.
Worldview analysis brings the large picture into focus and helps to figure out why we have problems living with each other.
My worldview is uniquely me and there will be no other worldview in the universe that is identical to my own. "Ones worldview is a matter of the heart," (Sire, 2004, p. 108). Sire had

S. Barker Book Talk 1 provided several examples from philosophers, to the world, and back to his own, all with unique characteristics. Over time there have been several influences that assisted with defining worldview. Not one person can possibly be right or wrong and is impossible to prove either way. Therefore part of worldview should be acceptance, and this will be of other individuals and society views.

S. Barker Book Talk 1
References
Sire, J. (2004). Naming the elephant: Worldview as a concept . Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press