In 250-300 words explain the Christian perspective of the nature of spirituality and ethics in contrast to the perspective of postmodern relativism within health care
Worldview Analysis and Personal Inventory
Based on the required topic study materials, write a reflection about worldview and respond to following:
- In 250-300 words explain the Christian perspective of the nature of spirituality and ethics in contrast to the perspective of postmodern relativism within health care.
- In 250-300 words, explain what scientism is and describe two of the main arguments against it.
- In 750-1,000 words, answer each of the worldview questions according to your own personal perspective and worldview: (a) What is ultimate reality? (b) What is the nature of the universe? (c) What is a human being? (d) What is knowledge? (e) What is your basis of ethics? (f) What is the purpose of your existence?
Remember to support your reflection with the topic study materials.
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Verified Expert Answer and Explanation
Worldview Analysis and Personal Inventory
Religion holds a significant and deeply personal place in the lives of its adherents. It shapes the individual’s belief system and spiritual inclinations, which in turn influence their ethical values and perspectives. Take Christianity, for example, which emphasizes the principles of morality and universal love for humanity (Ewest, 2019). The way these religious beliefs guide one’s actions and worldview highlight the intricate correlation between religion and healthcare.
Religion plays a pivotal role in the healthcare context, as it often provides a moral compass and ethical framework for individuals when making healthcare decisions. In Christianity, the teachings of love, compassion, and the sanctity of human life have direct implications for issues like end-of-life care, medical interventions, and organ donation. Religious communities often serve as a vital source of emotional and psychological support, aiding individuals in coping with illness and health-related challenges.
Spirituality and Postmodern Relativism
The Christian perspective on spirituality and ethics in healthcare is deeply rooted in a belief in absolute, transcendent truths. Christians believe in a higher power and view spirituality as an essential aspect of human existence. In healthcare, this perspective guides practitioners to approach their work with a strong moral compass, emphasizing values such as compassion, empathy, and the sanctity of human life (Ewest, 2019). Christian ethics, often based on the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Jesus Christ, provide clear guidelines for ethical decision-making in healthcare.
Postmodern relativism is a philosophical approach that challenges the idea of absolute truth and morality. It argues that moral values and ethics are subjective, varying from person to person and from one culture to another. This perspective can lead to a more patient-centric approach to healthcare, where individual beliefs and values are given precedence.
However, postmodern relativism can also pose challenges in situations where moral guidance is needed. For example, healthcare providers may struggle with the absence of a universally accepted ethical framework, leading to moral dilemmas and uncertainty (Deng, 2019). In contrast, the Christian perspective emphasizes the importance of objective moral values.
This means that there are certain right and wrong actions that apply to everyone, regardless of their personal beliefs or cultural context (Cabrero, 2018). In summary, Postmodern relativism and the Christian perspective offer different approaches to moral reasoning in healthcare. Postmodern relativism emphasizes patient autonomy and individual beliefs, while the Christian perspective emphasizes objective moral values.
Overview of Scientism
Scientism is the belief that science is the only way to understand the world and that other forms of inquiry, such as philosophy, ethics, art, and the humanities, are not valid. Scientism often claims that anything that cannot be measured or tested scientifically is either unknowable or not real (Understanding Science, n.d.). This can lead to a narrow view of the world and a dismissal of other important ways of knowing, such as through personal experience, intuition, and moral reasoning (Gasparatou, 2017).
One criticism of scientism is that it is overly reductionist. It fails to acknowledge that science cannot answer all questions, especially those related to subjective experiences, ethics, aesthetics, and meaning. For instance, science can tell us about the chemical composition of pigments in a painting, but it cannot fully capture the depth and richness of the emotions and ideas that the artwork conveys (Coleman et al., 2018). Scientism’s exclusive focus on empirical evidence may lead to a narrow view of reality, excluding meaningful aspects of human existence that lie beyond the reach of the scientific method.
Another criticism of scientism is that it undervalues the contributions of other forms of knowledge, such as philosophy, ethics, and the humanities. These disciplines offer distinct ways of understanding the world and the human experience. For instance, moral philosophy can help us grapple with questions of ethics, justice, and human rights, which may not be reducible to empirical observations (Coleman et al., 2018).
Literature, art, and the humanities provide insights into the complexities of human emotion, culture, and society. Dismissing these fields as inferior to science overlooks their significant role in shaping our understanding of the world and our engagement with fundamental questions about meaning, purpose, and values.
Personal Perspective and Worldview
Ultimate Reality
Ultimate reality is deeply rooted in the Christian belief in a divine, all-powerful, and personal God. According to Christian doctrine, God is not only the architect of the entire universe but also the source from which all existence flows. This perception of ultimate reality extends beyond the material, physical world, encompassing spiritual dimensions, including the concepts of heaven and the promise of eternal life (Stenmark, 2022). As such, God is believed to hold the authority to grant life and, conversely, to end it, aligning with His divine plan for each individual.
In this understanding of ultimate reality, Christians hold the conviction that every person’s life is imbued with a unique purpose, known and ordained by God. With this in mind, the faithful are encouraged to live in harmony with one another, embracing love and compassion as guiding principles. Additionally, they are called to fulfill their role as stewards of God’s creation, ensuring the responsible and caring guardianship of the world that He has brought into being.
Nature of the Universe
From a secular and humanistic viewpoint, the cosmos is perceived as immense, in a constant state of change, and governed by the laws of the physical world. In contrast, the Christian belief regards the universe as a divine creation, intricately fashioned and sustained through God’s providence (Stenmark, 2022). This perspective sees the natural world as intrinsically good, reflecting the order and beauty that God has instilled within it.
According to this view, humans are entrusted with the role of caretakers for this created universe. The Christian account suggests that God dedicated six days to the act of crafting the universe, which culminated with the making of human beings in His image and likeness, bestowing them with intelligence and the ability to discern right from wrong.
Human Being
In accordance with Christian doctrine, individuals are exceptional creations, bearing the likeness of God. They are composed of both physical and spiritual elements. Humans are endowed with the ability for moral discernment, free will, and the potential for a relationship with God. Despite their inclination towards wrongdoing, there exists the prospect of redemption and transformation through faith in Christ.
Consequently, God has entrusted human beings with dominion over His entire creation. Nevertheless, humans remain dependent on God for life, well-being, and a promising future. As such, it is of utmost importance for individuals to strive for a life of high quality, one that is free from pain and suffering.
Knowledge
In the Christian perspective, knowledge encompasses two essential dimensions: empirical knowledge, acquired through observation and reasoning, and spiritual knowledge, which is obtained through faith and divine revelation. The Bible is highly regarded as a primary source of spiritual wisdom, offering guidance on matters of morality and ethics. Simultaneously, reason and the study of the natural world hold significance in the pursuit of empirical knowledge (Flanagan, 2020).
Knowledge is essentially the practical application of information to achieve favorable outcomes. The extent of one’s knowledge is often measured by their ability to translate information into effective actions or solutions. This capacity for knowledge is closely tied to the intellectual capabilities that set humans apart from other creatures.
Basis of Ethics
Christian ethics find their foundation in the belief of a moral order established by God, as revealed in religious scriptures such as the Bible. Within this framework, moral values are considered to be objective, stemming from divine principles of love, justice, and compassion. The process of making ethical choices is underpinned by a commitment to following God’s commandments and adhering to the virtues espoused by Christianity (Kavonius & Ubani, 2020).
My personal ethical framework is rooted in the principles of doing what is right, displaying kindness, demonstrating empathy, and practicing love. These principles dictate my responses and interactions with others, whether in a professional context or on a personal level (Pihlström, 2017). This ethical foundation aligns with the Christian worldview, which emphasizes the importance of all individuals upholding good morals and respecting one another.
Purpose of Existence
In the Christian viewpoint, the aim of our existence is to develop an understanding of, show affection for, and be of service to God. This encompasses fostering a personal connection with God, realizing one’s inherent potential bestowed by God, and demonstrating care and empathy toward fellow individuals (Chung, 2017).
Many Christians discover meaning in their lives by aligning their actions with God’s intentions, seeking eternal salvation, and actively participating in the betterment of society as a manifestation of their faith. Human life is regarded as extraordinary, distinguished by its uniqueness and endowed with talents intended to contribute to the collective welfare.
Conclusion
Worldviews play a fundamental role in shaping our understanding of reality, the universe, humanity, knowledge, ethics, and the purpose of existence. Whether viewed through a secular and humanistic lens or from a Christian perspective, these worldviews offer distinct perspectives on life’s most profound questions. The secular and humanistic worldview emphasizes a naturalistic, evidence-based approach to understanding the world, while the Christian worldview centers on faith, divine revelation, and a relationship with a personal God.
References
Cabrero, L. O. (2018). Postmodernist Relativism: A Return to Polytheism?. The Maastricht Journal of Liberal Arts, 10, 57-68.
Chung, S. (2017). Purpose of Existence: Defensive and Proactive Purposes of English Ministry in the Korean Church. Journal of Christian Education & Information Technology, 31, 57-79.
Coleman, T. J. III, Hood, R. W., Jr., & Streib, H. (2018). An introduction to atheism, agnosticism, and nonreligious worldviews. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 10(3), 203-206. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/rel0000213
Deng, G. (2019). The origins of postmodern moral relativism. Filozofia Publiczna i Edukacja Demokratyczna, 8(1), 77-94.
Ewest, T. (2019). Where Ethics, Sustainability, and Spirituality Meet: The Holy Trinity or Dystopia of the Three Stooges?. In The Routledge Companion to Management and Workplace Spirituality (pp. 263-271). Routledge.
Flanagan, R. (2020). Worldviews: overarching concept, discrete body of knowledge or paradigmatic tool?. Journal of Religious Education, 68(3), 331-344.
Gasparatou, R. (2017). Scientism and scientific thinking. Science & Education, 26(7-9), 799-812.
Kavonius, M., & Ubani, M. (2020). The contribution of religious education and ethics to the development of worldviews: reflections of Finnish 9th grade students. Journal of Religious Education, 68(1), 59-72.
Stenmark, M. (2022). Worldview studies. Religious studies, 58(3), 564-582.
Understanding Science. (n.d.). Science has limits: A few things that science does not do. Understanding Science. https://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/whatisscience_12
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