Worldviews Essay

Although it appears intuitive to quickly agree with the common claim that people with differing world views perceive reality differently, upon reflection it becomes apparent that this hypothesis does not withstand an intensive review. For example, the statement itself assumes a fact that has not been proven. What is reality? A reality in itself is an individual perception of physicals events. Is it warm or cold when the temperature is thirty-two degrees? The answer is that it is neither and either warm or cold. Thus, the reality of thirty-two degrees cannot be used to test perceptions of differing perceptions as a result of differing world views. There is no real way to observe differing perceptions of reality when the reality itself is not constant or mathematical. Although an extreme example, this fact situation does illustrate that you cannot define your analysis with an assumption that is not proven to be true. Also, unfortunately many anthropologists judge those that they deem as unfortunate to be more predictable in their behavior. These scientists appear to equate a lack of resources to be a lack of free will and thus predictable in their behavior. The missing element in their analysis is free will and there are many instances that show this reality. First, a religious believer knows that man was created with free will so that each individual can make a personal decision as to their beliefs. This free will is a common trait with all individuals from any place with any economic status. There are terrorists all over the world that act a suicide bomber due to their religious beliefs that they adopted from their free will. These terrorists are from rich and poor families and from industrialized and very rural areas. The reality of their terror choice is from their free will choice and not from what clothes they wear or what is their source of news information. Second, although it is popular to talk about the good and evil in people, the instances of good and evil take place in all portions of the world with differing climates, technologies and relative wealth. The reality of good and evil is apparent in equal portions all over the world varying only in opportunity and punishment. Third, the search for personal freedom is a global desire that is evident in China, Iran, Iraq, Africa and the United States. The only difference in these desires is the perceived reality of the form or type of such freedom. In conclusion, although it may appear to be common sense to believe that those with differing world views perceive reality differently, upon further review it becomes more apparent that there are only perceived realities that when compared with those individuals of differing world influences actually result in as many common behaviors.