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A worldview is the fundamental cognitive orientation of an individual. This concept is also extended to groups based on systems that allow people to think alike such as culture. The following are common elements of a worldview.
PhilosophyPhilosophy are questions or answers regarding the most fundamental questions of life such as the nature of reality. For example, realists view the universe as completely physical and idealists view the world as a product of thought.IdeologyAn ideology is a system of ideas that allow groups to align. For example, conservatism that embraces tradition or progressivism that seeks aggressive change.
Belief SystemA system for interpreting life and society include elements such as philosophy, rules, principles and stories that demonstrate a moral or ethic. As systems, these allow people to share beliefs in a way that may be conductive to cooperation, civility and stability.CultureCulture are shared norms, stories and experiences that people value together as a group. For example, myths that give life and history color.
CharacterCharacter are the mental and mortal qualities of an individual including their personality. This is formed with a process of experience and directed effort and can be changed with time.EmotionEmotions are mental states that color all thoughts. For example, optimism that allows an individual to embrace life or pessimism that causes weariness and fear.
DispositionA disposition is a tendency towards a particular emotion or mode of thinking. For example, an individual who is easily angered versus an individual who is relatively unaffected such that they don't allow others to influence their feelings easily.AttitudeAn attitude is a settled way of thinking and feeling about something. For example, an individual who has decided they dislike travel.
LanguageAs people commonly think using language, language provides the basis for a worldview. For example, a language may include important philosophical concepts that can't be translated directly into other languages.ThinkingIndividuals have different approaches to thinking that impact worldview. For example, an individual who tends to be logical or who makes heavy use of visual thinking.
CausalityCausality is the relationship between cause and effect. Views of causality are a fundamental aspect of worldview. For example, an individual's sense of agency whereby they believe or do not believe that they control and are responsible for their future.BiasesBiases are repeated patterns of flawed thinking. For example, cherry picking whereby an individual selects information that supports their thinking and excludes information that doesn't.Tolerance for DisagreementIndividuals may feel a sense of stress in trying to come to agreement and get along with people who have a fundamentally different worldview. The ability to function productivity and positively in an environment with diverse worldviews is known as tolerance for disagreement.CreativityDifferences in worldview are considered a basis for creativity as these allow individuals to see novel value that is not obvious to those who think alike. As such, societies where most people have a similar worldview are less prone to creativity. Likewise, organizations staffed with like-minded individuals aren't likely to produce creativity such as innovation.|
Type | | Definition | The fundamental cognitive orientation of an individual or group. | Related Concepts | |
Thinking
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