A worldview is a belief system that shapes our thinking and behavior. Realism argues for the independent existence of the world, while antirealism argues that it depends on sense experience. This debate deepens our perceptions and understanding.
A worldview is a system of beliefs about the existence, nature, and value of the world. As a framework for interpreting and evaluating the world, it is the foundation of our thinking and behavior, so we should strive to make it as consistent and grounded as possible. Contradictory or inconsistent beliefs will disrupt our thinking and behavior, so it’s important to pay attention to and examine our worldview. Especially in the modern world, with the abundance of information and perspectives available, it’s even more important to build a solid worldview of your own. It’s more than just a philosophical pursuit; it has a profound impact on our daily decisions and behaviors.
Of the many beliefs that make up a worldview, the most fundamental level of belief is that the world exists. This is because other beliefs about the world, such as that it is always changing or that it is immutable, are only possible if this belief is true. These basic beliefs play an important role not only in philosophy, but also in our daily lives. For example, every day we believe that the things we see are real, and we act on that belief. When we sit in a chair, we believe that the chair exists, and when we read a book, we believe that the book exists. These basic beliefs about the existence of the world underlie our daily activities.
Realism adds to this fundamental belief by arguing that the world exists ‘independently of our minds’. The paper airplane you made and flew still exists, even if it flies away and you can’t see it. This may seem obvious and uncontroversial, but antirealists challenge this common sense. Berkeley, a famous anti-realist, denies the independent existence of the world. According to him, we can’t perceive the world without relying on our sensory experiences. He builds his arguments about the world on this basis. According to him, the “subjective” properties of color, sound, smell, and taste, as well as the supposedly “objective” properties of form, space, rigidity, and motion, are subjective properties that exist only when we can sense them. Since the objects and phenomena in the world are composed of these properties, the world only exists when it is perceived by the senses.
Berkeley’s argument conflicts with our common sense. At the time, a man kicked a rock and exclaimed, “I refute Berkeley!” He was trying to refute Berkeley’s argument by pointing out that flying rocks do exist. But what Berkeley and other antirealists deny is the belief that the world exists in and of itself, independent of the mind, so the stone kicker didn’t really refute them.
This discussion not only adds depth to philosophical thought, but also expands the scope of our perception and understanding. The debate over whether the world exists independently of the mind or depends on our perceptions is more than just a philosophical curiosity; it raises important questions about how humans understand the world and how we should act accordingly. For example, if the world is dependent on our perceptions, then our experiences and senses would be an important part of what constitutes the world. This makes our perceptions and experiences more important and sheds new light on the importance of individual subjective experience.
On the other hand, an existentialist view, which believes that the world exists independently, emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry and objective truth. This leads us to value objective evidence and logic in our understanding of the world, and to trust knowledge gained through experimentation and verification over sensation or subjective experience. This view is closely linked to the development of modern science.
Until recently, new forms of anti-realism have been proposed and are still being actively debated. For example, modern quantum mechanics challenges the traditional realist worldview and raises new questions about the nature of reality. Quantum mechanics has argued that the state of a particle cannot be determined in the absence of an observer, which is sometimes used as an argument to strengthen the anti-realist position. These modern scientific discoveries force us to rethink our worldview, further complicating the traditional debate between realism and antirealism.
Win or lose, antirealists provide an opportunity to reflect on the foundations of the realist worldview, which is often steeped in otherness. The iterative process of challenging and responding to worldviews is itself a reflection of the interactive development of the human intellect. This process sharpens our thinking, opens us to different perspectives, and ultimately contributes to the pursuit of better understanding and knowledge.
Reflections and debates about worldviews don’t just remain in the philosophical realm; they have a direct impact on our everyday thinking and behavior. For example, a person with a realist worldview will seek to understand the world through scientific inquiry and experimentation, believing that the physical world exists independently. On the other hand, someone with an anti-realist worldview will emphasize the importance of perception and experience, and will seek to understand the world through subjective experience. These differences end up greatly influencing our way of life and values.
In conclusion, worldview is an important factor that forms the basis of our thinking and behavior. By examining and reflecting on our various beliefs about the existence and nature of the world, we can build a more sophisticated and coherent worldview. This will ultimately make our thinking and behavior clearer and more consistent, and contribute to enriching our lives. Especially in the modern world, where we are inundated with a variety of information and perspectives, it’s even more important to build a solid worldview of our own. It’s more than just a philosophical pursuit; it has a profound impact on our daily decisions and actions. The process of embracing multiple perspectives, thinking critically, and constantly rethinking your worldview will make your life richer and more meaningful.
