Running head: PHILOSOPHICAL WORLDVIEWS
Philosophical Worldviews
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PHILOSOPHICAL WORLDVIEWS
Philosophical Worldviews
1. Which philosophical worldview most closely aligns with your perspective and the
way that you view problems in the world? How so?
Philosophical worldviews refer to a basic set of beliefs that guide actions. Four
distinguishable philosophical worldviews exist: post-positivist (positivist), interpretivist
(constructivist), participatory (advocacy), and pragmatist. Each of these worldviews offers an
outstanding perspective of the world[ CITATION Joh09 \l 1033 ]. However, the participatory
worldview which is intertwined with politics and political agenda closely aligns to my
perspective of the world problems. It is through the participation and intervention of the world
problems that most change is achieved. My ultimate goal is to transform the world into a place
where children, youths, adults, and the aged feel they are all embraced. It’s through intervention
that social, political, and economic problems can be solved. Through this perspective, problems
such as inequality, alienation, suppression, domination, oppression among others can be
addressed to make this world a culturally sensitive and comfortable place to live.
2. Of the four philosophical worldviews, which ones are aligned with qualitative
methodology?
Philosophical worldviews are essential in the way they influence research. According to
Creswell (2009), the different philosophical worldviews are important in determining what kind
of research method to apply. In this case, the focus remains on the philosophical worldviews that
are aligned to qualitative methodology. Among the four philosophical worldviews, three of them
are aligned with qualitative methodology. The constructivist worldview is typically viewed as a
qualitative research approach[ CITATION Joh09 \l 1033 ]. The participatory worldview that
holds on assumptions of imposed laws is a worldview that similarly fits qualitative research.
PHILOSOPHICAL WORLDVIEWS
However, according to Creswell (2009), this worldview can also be aligned with quantitative
methodology as well. Finally, the similar to participatory worldview, pragmatic worldview is
ultimately aligned with qualitative methodologies, but can also embrace quantitative
methodologies.
3. How does understanding the connection between philosophical worldview and
research methodology assist in your research approach?
The knowledge and ability to connect philosophical worldviews to various research
methodologies is vitally important to me. By understanding the connection between the two, it
becomes easier to focus on the center of the research onion where making the right choice on
what kind of data collection techniques to apply and the kind of data analysis procedures to
apply. By focusing on this vital connection, it becomes easier to answer the prime important
question on which research method applies to my research.
4. Compare/contrast philosophical worldview with that of a Christian worldview. Are
there any areas that are problematic or do most philosophical worldviews appear to be
congruent with a Christian worldview?
A worldview is the window through which we make sense of life and the world, and
more importantly, view reality. The Christian worldview is a broad conceptualization of the
world based on a Christian view. It affects every aspect of life, from sociology to psychology,
from law to economics, and from science to philosophy. The basic tenets of Christian and
philosophical worldviews are rational since they are based on the perception of the average
rational people. The fact that the two worldviews tend to conflict is the same reason why they
tend to be tied together. Knowledge gained from Christianity and the one gained from
philosophy in view of life requires faith. The basic problem with philosophical worldview is not
PHILOSOPHICAL WORLDVIEWS
the problem of reason versus faith, the main problem is that some thinkers rely on assumptions in
their pursuit for the truth about the world. Both worldviews rely on historical evidence to
develop evidence of the world around them. Conclusively, both the Christian worldview and the
philosophical worldviews embrace the meaningful and purposeful life in which one can shape
their beliefs based on a coherent, truthful, and reasonable worldview. The implication of this
statement is that none of these worldviews can be tossed by the contending views of the other.
PHILOSOPHICAL WORLDVIEWS
References
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods
Approaches. . Thousand Islands, CA: Sage Publications.
