I do not know...a worldview you said?

There are many things I do not know. True! but I love the fact that I do not know everything because it gives me a reason to wake up everyday.


I love learning, discovering new theories, trying to look at things from different angles (very difficult sometimes), to test different worldviews...and wait a minute, I just wrote worldview...but what is a worldview? it consists of what? is it something we can think of, discuss about it? change it? remove it? erase it and make another one?


Can you guess what was my first reaction after asking myself all these questions about worldviews....yes you are rigth...I went to my teenager's room and I asked him, what is a worldview?


He looked at me, first, puzzled and then, as usual, his answer came out full of wit and charm, "Am I asked what is 'my' worldview or what is 'our' worldview?


hummmmm great question....does that mean that I am not applying the rules of democracy ...I mean democracy principles, the ideals of universal freedoms, such as the right to free speech...in our home? NO, this cannot be possible ;) right??


What guides a person's decision making? This question may seem abstract and philosophical, but it is actually very practical. When decisions need to be made, are there guidelines to follow?


Everyday decisions, as well as abstract and philosophical decisions, are influenced by one's worldview. For example, deciding which political party to support, choosing how to make financial decisions, and many other practical matters are decided on by one's worldview.


Most people who encounter the concept of worldview first do so during their college education. But even as adults, few people take the time to think about, examine, and identify their own worldview. Many consider the topic too heavy or too philosophical, yet whether it is perceived or not, each person has a worldview that impacts their life.


Decisions are all determined by a person's worldview. If people understand their own decision making process and can explain it, they are well on their way to understanding and articulating their worldview.

What is a Worldview?

According to Nash, "It is a conceptual framework, pattern, or arrangement of a person's beliefs. The best worldviews are comprehensive, systematic, and supposedly true views of life and the world" (Nash, 1999, p. 13).

According to Sire, "A worldview is a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true, or entirely false) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic make-up of our world" (Sire, 1988, p. 17).

Many authors who write on the topic of worldview use a common analogy to explain what a worldview is and how it influences our thinking.

A worldview is like a pair of eyeglasses that influences how one sees the world. The purpose of eyeglasses, of course, is to bring the world (reality) into clearer focus. Eyeglasses should help a person see well. Some glasses change the way things appear because of colored lenses.

The origin of the prescription becomes the foundation of worldview.

Hoffecker (2007) noted that worldviews impact every area of life. "One's worldview, or world-and-life view, consists of one's most basic beliefs and framework of understanding Directly or indirectly, basic beliefs influence every dimension of human life" (p. xi).

WHAT IS YOUR WORLDVIEW? I am going to tell you about mine next time..

Have a great day!

Are Schools Better Off When Many Students Question Authority?

Questioning about a fact or a particular subject is basic human nature. Asking questions makes students extrovert as they do not hesitate in talking to anyone. 

When students ask questions, they clear their doubts about ideas, and provide an indirect help in the upliftment of schools. 

Asking questions is not only the human nature, but it is a human right! It was because of Einstein, who challenged the postulates of Newton's theory, that today scientists have been able to beget the string theory. Also, Galileo could ascertain the fact that the earth was round, because he challenged the orthodox beliefs existing at that time.

Countries like India and America were able to achieve independence, when people like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King questioned the high officials and authorites. Despite the ill treatment by the authorities they maintained their calm and composure, and never resorted to misdemeanor.

Indeed, questioning the authority helps in the overall upliftment of schools and societies. 

Questioning and resoning does reflect the acumen of students. That is why I have organized a Socratic Dialogue in the Middle School. Every Tuesday, we have a Socratic Dialogue in our classroom and teenagers understood that it is worth our while to talk about important subjects and about how we ought to live!

A Socratic Dialogue encourages students to reflect and think independently and critically. The Students self-confidence in their own thinking is enhanced and the search for truth in answer to a particular problem is undertaken in common.

The questions are drawn from ethics, politics, epistemology, mathematics, psychology, ....and are of a general nature. The endeavour of the students is to reach consensus as a means to deepen their investigation of the topic.