Opening Thoughts

2004-08-25T19:48:00.000-04:00

I created this as an outlet for me to write about a broad range of subjects (primarily philosophical), where I can express myself cogently (at least I hope) and with plenty of elaboration. Comment on any of my entries if you wish, I don't mind criticism (though keep in mind, I'm not exactly a philosophy major, these entries are simply my thoughts).

To begin- the idea and possession of a worldview. Is a worldview important to have? I speak not in terms of grouping yourself with a certain philosophical class (Neo-Platonism, Neo-Nietzscheans, so forth), but in terms of having a personal view, a personal philosophy that is totally applicable to how you live and interact with the world around you. Maybe your personal philosophy won't ever go down in the annals of history, won't be remembered such as the works of Aristotle and Bacon, Hume and Kant; but having a worldview is something that can drastically change you as a person, and leave an imprint in your life and legacy.

How to form a worldview? The foundations of this must rest in some part simply on our personality and attitude- a naturally pessimistic person clearly isn't going to instantly form an optimistic personal philosophy, and vice versa. A pessimistic person most likely will focus on the bad in the world, and the possibility of more bad coming to be, whereas an optimistic person will probably focus on the good in the world, and the likelihood of the world becoming a better place. Clearly, this first step will not be the same for everyone, and perhaps might not happen for some people at all. But a the personality that one possesses is key to so much- our attitudes in life, our desires and passions, our friendships and loves- how could it not be key to how we view the world around us?

This being said, I think it is important to address the importance of a person's background when considering the formation of a worldview. While obviously, a person won't totally be shaped by their background (nature vs nuture, fodder for another day's discourse), it will have at least some effect on their formation as a person. And the kind of person someone is definately is a major factor in what type of worldview that could possess. Someone raised all of their life to appreciate the value of hard work, honesty, and compassion will likely possess in their worldview either admiration for how much of that there is in the world, or a scathing indictment of how little (something dependent on appraisal of course).

Now, as I have at least said a minimal amount about the foundations of a worldview, I find it important to address why someone should have a worldview. A worldview is not always a totally concious process and group of thoughts- quite often it is something below the surface, a conglomerate of morals and values, desires and passions judging the world against their standards. That is naturally rather complex, but when it is below the surface, it isn't always a clear standard. However, we, as rational human beings, have the capacity to use logic and reason to determine how we philosophically and practically view the world. Is it not better to have a standard, have concious knowledge of how you look at the world, see yourself against it? Live your life by it, pass it at least in part to your progeny? Some people may not desire that, but for those who love and wish for accuracy and precision, knowledge and understanding, a worldview is something of a window- a frame through which you see the world, and can make conclusions and decisions.

The actual concious process of creating a worldview is something that only you can do. Only you know what your values are, what your morals and ethical standards are, what you desire above all, and what you curse to the abyss. Through forming this worldview, you must look deep below your surface, into what you truly care for.

Philosophy and Random Thought

Opening Thoughts