World View : Response to Naming the Elephant

worldview:

What is Prime reality - the really real?

Prime reality is the idea that it is real for you. Every person’s reality is different for each individual as each person has their own set of beliefs and ideas. It is an interesting concept to wrap my mind around as I am still trying to capture all the lessons I have learned in this class and also all the information I have learned from the book to be able to appropriately answer this question. With the current information I have I would have to say prime reality for me is one in which I can utilize the information in. For me to be able to focus in this life I must view prime reality as the one in which I am accomplishing things. If I am not viewing this as the really real then I am constantly questioning my actions and challenging what I am doing with this question always at the forefront, “Is my awake state truly a dream state and when I sleep is that real? If this were the case my productivity would be low and my actions on a daily basis would become a constant battle. For now, especially in order to finish my studies I view my awake state the one in which I am accomplishing things based on what society says are accomplishments is what I view to be the really real, of course for now. My idea of prime reality may forever be changing as I grow and gain more information and knowledge. It will also change based on society’s views of what is real and right for it as a whole. All of these influences will affect my really real and have already.
What is the nature of external reality, that is the world around us? Society creates norms that affect the way all people within that society go about doing things. These norms affects are thought patterns, are daily habits, and are need to prioritize things. Norms can be evil. They set a precedence of a way to do things. In this country there are more freedoms within the norms, but never the less these norms greatly impact our views of right and wrong and how we ultimately end up doing something. External reality puts pressure on our internal reality and creates a struggle within to maintain balance. External realities tell us their our different ways to get to the said outcome, but pushes in the way of the most accepted and least disruptive for others. When I think of external realities I always think of the norm in regards to doing what society says is best regarding your future. What is most accepted is to go to school (elementary, middle school, high school) then of course continue with schooling to get a degree in college and then get a job. According to society’s norms this appears to be most logical. Unfortunately this does not always work, but this is an example of how the outside forces the inside to conform or struggle to figure out what is best for the person. External realities will always exist and it is up to the person to ultimately decide what to believe.
What is a human being?

A human being is a mammal that is afforded the greatness of being able to do something and then be able to realize what s/he has done and assess, evaluate and do it again in the hopes of making something better. Human beings are able to think at a higher level. They are given the ability to critical think
What happens to a person at death?

This is a question that I am sure has been hounded since the beginning of time. Death is something that each culture/ religion has created an answer for in order to fulfill and or satisfy their need to know. Death is the ultimate mystery. I have been fascinated with the idea of death since I was little as some of us are. I, of course, do not know, as most of us do not. I remember growing up in a house hold that said well you might as well believe in God because what happens if he is there when you die and if he isn’t there what do you have to lose by believing. I always thought this was the silliest idea ever. From a child’s standpoint I could not imagine (even to this day) why on earth anyone would just believe in something just in case. I always felt you should do something 100% or not do it all. Especially surrounding faith. I think some of us are more eager to know or some of us need to have their religion in order to function because it keeps them safe if they have something to believe in and know what happens. I don’t necessarily need to know, but from personal experiences surrounding encounters with a higher being I feel ok with not knowing, but am hopeful that it will be good. No matter if it is heaven or I’m just worm food. I have always had hope to die. Hope that things will be amazing. Whether it truly is just a circle of life, no matter what happens I will be giving back. I personally would like to go on to a better place. I would like to have the opportunity to continue doing things, but I do not get a say in my life beyond here or do I?
Why is it possible to know anything at all?

We able to know things because we believe we know things. There is a belief within ourselves that allows us to think that we do know things. We also are human beings therefore this lends itself to allowing us to assess evaluate and reassess and improve upon. Human beings are allowed to understand personal limitations and this allows us to understand what we do know or rather what we do not know.

How do we know what is right and wrong?

We know because some of this is innate (a moral code within), some of this is being told/demonstrated this by our society’s norms and our caregivers norms. It is a mixture of nature/nurture and what ideas people create from the impact nature/ nurture has on them. Right and wrong comes from our experiences as well. Also, we are able to critically think about things and this allows for us to interrupt the situation and make the most of the situation by analyzing it before acting upon it. By strategically thinking it allows for us to have a better understanding of right and wrong and make a decision of what to do based on the knowledge we further gain by critically thinking.
What is the meaning of human history?

The meaning of human history allows us to build upon the greatness of others that have walked the earth. We are left with their great ideas and works that have been passed on via writings and through stories. These writing and stories allow us to build upon what has already been discovered. The meaning of it is to create a better place for who is left by leaving behind their legacies (history of humans) Although I feel a lot of what has been left behind historically does not seem to be taken for truth as we continue to repeat the same mistakes. It is as if other humans challenge the history of other humans by trying to do the same thing, but think as if it will work with them behind the idea. Although that persons idea usually ends up failing as well. I feel that the meaning of the human history is to create a better place but a better place is not being created.

References

Sire, J. (2004). Naming the Elephant. Intervarsity Press.

References: Sire, J. (2004). Naming the Elephant. Intervarsity Press.