World Theories and Influences: Understanding People’s Worldviews

The life path one traverses along with decisions one makes throughout their life span stems from their own worldview which was molded and modified from many influences in one’s life. These influences may come from community culture, their personal rearing, religion, personal relationships and life experiences. In comparable situations, individuals react and respond based exclusively on their own moral compass and worldviews. As a healthcare professional, it is important to be in tune with your own and other’s worldviews and the moral compass which guides them and you. Understanding your worldviews, may help you as a provider to remain respectful and unbiased. Respecting other’s worldviews may help the health care professional to render high quality care that is both compassionate and caring.

Dr. Wilson: Scientism Worldview

It is obvious from the readings that Dr. Wilson has a scientism perspective. He only uses the facts of science to address and deal with Jessica’s and Marco’s pregnancy conundrum. He even distances himself further by the introduction of the idea of fetal demise through abortion. The only time Dr. Wilson has interjected any type of personal perspective was from a moral financial perspective with fetal demise. Scientism attempts to explain events in a matter of fact manner. Scientism is void of abstract variables such as spirituality, cultural or religious influences in its definition of life events. Scientism views itself as the absolute source of knowledge and minimizes other sciences like humanities and philosophy. Scientism may influence the actions of individuals with scientific fact through knowledge gained through the scrutiny of science and explaining life experiences in a physical and or material manner Dr. Wilson’s worldview is from a scientism perspective. His expressions of facts on the abnormalities and questionable quality of life of the fetus leaving only one conclusion of fetal demise as the optimal medical choice. Again, scientism is void of other humanity views or options as evident in Dr. Wilson’s perspective and options offered to Jessica and Marco.

Aunt Maria: Christianity Worldview

From the readings, it is apparent that the worldview of Aunt Maria is from her firm belief of Christianity. Aunt Maria is seen praying and contacting her pastor for further advise and interjection. Aunt Maria has also verbalized her stance on to Jessica regarding not utilizing abortion as an option. Further explaining Jessica’s responsibilities as a mother to the fetus and to respect God’s grander plan. The Christian worldview refers to God and the importance of prayer, faith, along with a personal approach to healthcare with science and technology being a gift from God to further help benefit God’s creation. Christian worldview also embraces giving support to the infirmed and destitute through aid and relief. Christian’s believe in the concept that we were created in the image of our father and we all have a duty to ourselves, others and God to find purpose and the fulfilment of life.

Aunt Maria’s worldview is a Christian perspective which is apparent with her view of prayer, belief in God and God’s overall plan for all of us. Her worldview looks to the fetus as a living entity and has a place in God’s overall plan. She also believes that Jessica and Marco have an obligation and is accountable to the fetus as its parents and to understand that God has an overall plan for them all and to love the fetus no matter what its abnormalities may include. The fetus was begotten through the union of man and woman and has the right to live, grow and to partake in God’s overall plan. It is clear through science that the fetus will have physical and maybe mental deformities. In spite of the proposed fetus abnormalities no one can determine the path set in front of the fetus other than God. It has been proposed that the fetus will be born without arms and a 25% chance of having Down Syndrome. In today’s science, prosthetics can give function back to missing extremities, as well as, individuals with Down Syndrome can still be highly functional in society.

Marco: Material Worldview

In the readings, it is perceived that Marco has a materialistic worldview. He has expressed concerns regarding his wife Jessica’s wellbeing and will support her decision regarding the fetus. Marco has expressed a moral financial perspective and how it will affect his financial security with himself and his wife. The prospect of caring for a disabled child could be an encumbrance and hindrance to their future. Materialism worldview embraces the perspective of material growth and material well-being which are the highest purpose in life, giving the utmost importance to material objects. Materialism ignores spirituality, religion and what happens to humans beyond death and relates events, life experiences and reality to matter within the laws of nature.

Marco’s views of the fetus and how it may stifle his possible financial future is purely materialistic. His moral perspective of how the fetus is spiritless, without consciousness, a piece of matter that ultimately is nothing more than a hindrance to his financial future solidifies his materialistic beliefs. With materialism, there is no room for consideration of the future of this fetus. There is no further thought of the fetus upon destruction, it would just cease to exist.

Jessica: Blended Worldview

As per the readings, Jessica has expressed a blended worldview on the moral status of the fetus. Initially, Jessica shared the same worldview as Marco and how it may interfere with her financial future and how caring for a disabled child may suppress her independence. Her ethical stance aligns itself with Marco’s materialistic worldview and how material objects has more emphasis and importance than the fetus. Moreover, Jessica has a moral belief that all life is sacred and that ethical stance aligns itself with Christianity worldview. Jessica’s worldview can best be described as Modern Western Worldview since her dual conflicting views, biblical beliefs along with her scientific views, attempt to find peace within themselves. Western worldview is described as two views that are always in conflict with one another. The conflict is a struggle with matter and the spirit. This conflict can lead to God becoming more distant while the belief of the life path in front of us is of our own choosing with emphasis of people being individuals. Her conflicting worldview will have an important role to play in determining her path choice regarding the fetus. Materialism worldview would take her down the path of fetal demise while the Western worldview would lead her down a path of where she would carry the fetus to full term and fulfil her role as a loving and caring mother.

Author’s Blended Worldview

As we become older and experience many life events helps modify our values and perspectives. Every situation is fluid and not everything is well known. In one situation, I may react one way and with that new experience gained I may have a different perspective when confronted with a similar situation. At the core of my ever-evolving worldview is the belief that all people are unique beings, who are all valuable and all have purpose. Every part of humanity is entitled to a life full of meaning and quality. My goal as a nurse is to insure with all my will and strength to care for each other physically, emotionally and spiritually and to maintain an unbiased, non-judgmental perspective when dealing other’s life’s difficulties. My duality views also have an appreciation for science and how it may give answers to some of life’s questions, however it is not all knowing and it can be misinterpreted or misused. The other side of the coin that brings piece to my souls is my worldview of Christianity. I would turn to my Christianity worldview to help guide me in my decision of right and wrong if faced with a similar situation as Jessica and Marco.

Conclusion

All human beings are unique individuals with their own perspectives of values, ethics and morality. It is difficult to know how one would act or how true that would stand behind their belief systems until presented with such a dilemma or situation. Everyone is unique on how they perceive life and reality with emphasis to identify worldviews that surround them. Being open minded and having a greater understanding of the views around us will lend us to a more unbiased and non-judgmental perspective to better help our neighbors in need.