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Worldview History of a Concept by Naugle Jr., David K. [Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.,2002] [Paperback]
Conceiving of Christianity as a worldview has been one of themost significant events in the church in the last 150 years. In thisnew book David Naugle provides the best discussion yet of thehistory and contemporary use of worldview as a totalizing approachto faith and life.This informative volume first locates the origin of worldviewin the writings of Immanuel Kant and surveys the rapid proliferationof its use throughout the English-speaking world. Naugle thenprovides the first study ever undertaken of the insights of majorWestern philosophers on the subject of worldview and offers anoriginal examination of the role this concept has played in thenatural and social sciences. Finally, Naugle gives the concept biblicaland theological grounding, exploring the unique ways that world-viewhas been used in the Evangelical, Orthodox, and Catholictraditions.This clear presentation of the concept of of worldview will beof value to a wide range of readers.
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First published July 16, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 28, 2017
Um dos melhores livros do ano e com certeza o melhor livro cristão sobre o assunto.
February 1, 2018
Uau! Esse é o tipo de livro que gosto e talvez o melhor livro sobre cosmovisão que já li. Bem acadêmico, com pesquisa robusta, mas numa linguagem acessível. E, aliás, que tradução fantástica! Deve ser dificílimo traduzir textos e conceitos filosóficos!
David Naugle faz uma espécie de “biografia” do conceito de cosmovisão, trazendo as histórias filológica da palavra (apesar de o capítulo 3 estar entitulado como “Uma história FILOSÓFICA de “cosmovisão”, quando na verdade é FILOLÓGICA) e filosófica do conceito, bem como seus usos nas ciências naturais e sociais. Nos capítulos finais, Naugle define “cosmovisão” na perspectiva cristã, trazendo algumas reflexões teológicas e filosóficas sobre o conceito.
Confesso que, quando Naugle descreve o pensamento dos filósofos com os quais ele interage, não consegui compreender muito bem (mais um defeito meu do que do autor), mas, ao final de cada análise, quando ele explica esses pensamentos e sua relevância para o conceito de cosmovisão, consegui entender.
No mais, parabéns à editora Monergismo por publicar uma excelente edição!
David Naugle faz uma espécie de “biografia” do conceito de cosmovisão, trazendo as histórias filológica da palavra (apesar de o capítulo 3 estar entitulado como “Uma história FILOSÓFICA de “cosmovisão”, quando na verdade é FILOLÓGICA) e filosófica do conceito, bem como seus usos nas ciências naturais e sociais. Nos capítulos finais, Naugle define “cosmovisão” na perspectiva cristã, trazendo algumas reflexões teológicas e filosóficas sobre o conceito.
Confesso que, quando Naugle descreve o pensamento dos filósofos com os quais ele interage, não consegui compreender muito bem (mais um defeito meu do que do autor), mas, ao final de cada análise, quando ele explica esses pensamentos e sua relevância para o conceito de cosmovisão, consegui entender.
No mais, parabéns à editora Monergismo por publicar uma excelente edição!
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July 27, 2021Mentioned in this article. This and this are for those who turn up their noses at the term worldview.
October 17, 2015
Naugle writes to fill a gaping void in English scholarship on Weltanschauung studies. While German scholars have ably documented the career of this concept, no such work existed in the English language—at least not any work that “amasses a substantial portion of the literature on worldview from the various disciplines” (xviii). Naugle’s express aim is to “supply what appears to be a missing chapter in the history of ideas” (xviii). In his preface, Naugle sets forth the reasons he believe his topic has been ripe for the picking. First, there has been an “explosion of interest in worldview” (xv). Second, contemporary American culture is marked by diverse worldviews. Third, post-9/11 international political scene can be described in terms of the “clash of civilizations” (xvi).
In his historical “biography” of worldview, Naugle proceeds first by surveying its influence in Presbyterian, Evangelical and Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. Then he surveys its philological and philosophical histories, respectively. Finally, he explores how worldview has played a role in the natural and social sciences. Overall, the most helpful part about his work is his meta-analysis of worldview, laying bare the worldview assumptions behind our worldview assumptions. His optimism for worldview thinking is sustained by his high view of Scripture and robust Christo-centrism. Such a worldview can foster the best kind of culture that thrives both in this world and in the next.
Because of his original, excellent research Naugle’s book has been, and will continue to be, essential reading for anyone doing research in Christian worldview. Naugle’s work leaves a fresh field for more research. Of particular interest might be the implications of his meta-analysis of worldview. The affirmation that worldviews are impacted by worldviews (as Naugle demonstrated from James Sire’s Universe Next Door, among others), leads the reader to wonder where this meta-analysis might stop. If one’s view of worldview as a concept is informed by one’s worldview, are we facing an infinite self-referential regress?
In his historical “biography” of worldview, Naugle proceeds first by surveying its influence in Presbyterian, Evangelical and Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. Then he surveys its philological and philosophical histories, respectively. Finally, he explores how worldview has played a role in the natural and social sciences. Overall, the most helpful part about his work is his meta-analysis of worldview, laying bare the worldview assumptions behind our worldview assumptions. His optimism for worldview thinking is sustained by his high view of Scripture and robust Christo-centrism. Such a worldview can foster the best kind of culture that thrives both in this world and in the next.
Because of his original, excellent research Naugle’s book has been, and will continue to be, essential reading for anyone doing research in Christian worldview. Naugle’s work leaves a fresh field for more research. Of particular interest might be the implications of his meta-analysis of worldview. The affirmation that worldviews are impacted by worldviews (as Naugle demonstrated from James Sire’s Universe Next Door, among others), leads the reader to wonder where this meta-analysis might stop. If one’s view of worldview as a concept is informed by one’s worldview, are we facing an infinite self-referential regress?
January 15, 2020
This is a fairly academic introduction to worldview, tracing the roots of the word itself, then the concepts behind the word and finally into the implications and interactions of worldview thinking in a variety of fields. As an academic work it requires a reasonable amount of pre-requisite knowledge, and a good working knowledge of the history of philosophy. It would also help to have a little background in hermeneutics, philosophy of science, and some training in the humanities. The concluding chapter is gold!
July 19, 2012
Naugle's "Worldview" is simply the best book of its kind. A multiple award winner, this book attempts to do a study of the concept as it has been perceived through the various academic disciplines. It has the feel of an intellectual history of an idea. The author makes it clear, that to define the idea is difficult. Still, the thrust of it is that a person's or a people's worldview shapes how that person or people will live. Unfortunately, though everyone has one, not many people do not know what there worldview is, much less examine it critically. Many of the controversies are discussed concerning the concept, such as the nature of the concept as a shared, or a particular / individualistic set of values- "are they predominately one or the other?" The majority of the book seeks to speak and interact with these disciplines from a Christian worldview. As such it might be seen as critical. However most of the time it seeks to be more descriptive. A necessary and worthwhile book for anyone who is interested in "worldview" studies.
January 2, 2019
This is a helpful one-of-a-kind book on Worldview. As the subtitle indicates it explores the thinking and development of the concept over time. When it comes to how a worldview might actually work or be experienced in a person or culture it is less helpful. As to a Christian understanding of worldview, it comes down decidedly on the Reformed side of things as this is where most of the history/thought lies. Having said that, I find that understanding to be overly cognitive, as if doctrine defines worldview. While the author clearly understands worldview as personal knowledge lying at a tacit, pre-theoretical level within the person, much of the discussion revolves around well-defined and carefully articulated beliefs that make up a (Christian) worldview. Very little on how a worldview is formed or how it may be changed. I find the thinking on worldview done by social scientists more helpful than that of philosophers and theologians.
June 14, 2012
This past year I became aware of David Naugle and have used several of his materials from the internet for my class on Building a Christian Worldview. He is good at articulating philosophical ideas from a Reformed perspective. I was excited to read this book but due to school commitments it took me a while to finish it. Naugle does give a detailed history of the concept which at times I struggled to get through. His summary implications of each philosopher's view helped me put it all in perspective. Naugle ends with several chapters about building a Christian worldview and I found this section very helpful. He also introduced me to several other works that I plan on checking out.
April 10, 2022
More of an ‘survey’ of usage, rather than an ‘analysis’ of meaning, the book traces the origins and developments of the word ‘worldview.’
The first usage of ‘worldview’ is attributed to incidental comments by Kant, at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The author shows how other philosophers and religious writers gradually picked up the word and used it to illustrate themes within their own writings.
One of the central insights to emerge is that the word ‘worldview’ has meant a range of slightly differently nuanced ideas. Broadly it has picked out the presuppositions, or the model within which thinkers explain their philosophies and theologies. Of course the very distinction between a model and ideas within the model has been an issue for some thinkers, so the word ‘worldview’ has not always been positively received.
Thinkers from Kierkegaard to Wittgenstein, to Freud have been troubled by the idea of a worldview, and sometimes reluctant to use the concept in their thinking. Some of the issues of concern revolved around the subjectivity of a worldview, and the consequent issue of whether a commitment to worldviews is in fact a rejection of the idea that there is an objective reality which can be distinguished from worldviews.
The book gives an encyclopaedic overview of the ways that different nineteenth and twentieth century authors have engaged positively and negatively with concepts of ‘worldview.’ The information is fulsome and presented thoughtfully, with occasional forays questioning the implications and coherence of aspects of an author’s views.
Occasionally, we hear how an author like Wittgenstein preferred an alternative word to ‘worldview.’ It would have been helpful if the author had pressed the issues and asked whether those kinds of disagreements were merely verbal preferences, or whether they conveyed genuinely important philosophical distinctions. The book’s focus upon description, means that it cannot always be as analytic as the reader might otherwise wish.
Overall the author is writing from an evangelical Christian perspective. He is positive towards the idea that ‘worldview’ can have an important role to play in the presentation of Christian ideas. He accepts that mainstream theologians like Karl Barth found the idea too philosophical, and some found it to imply too much subjectivism. But, in the author’s view, the fact remains that ‘worldview’ represents an important idea in much of contemporary thinking and if Christians want to communicate effectively with their contemporary audience, then it makes sense to engage with, and use, concepts like worldview.
Written for a theological readership, the book is nevertheless accessible to readers from any background.
The first usage of ‘worldview’ is attributed to incidental comments by Kant, at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The author shows how other philosophers and religious writers gradually picked up the word and used it to illustrate themes within their own writings.
One of the central insights to emerge is that the word ‘worldview’ has meant a range of slightly differently nuanced ideas. Broadly it has picked out the presuppositions, or the model within which thinkers explain their philosophies and theologies. Of course the very distinction between a model and ideas within the model has been an issue for some thinkers, so the word ‘worldview’ has not always been positively received.
Thinkers from Kierkegaard to Wittgenstein, to Freud have been troubled by the idea of a worldview, and sometimes reluctant to use the concept in their thinking. Some of the issues of concern revolved around the subjectivity of a worldview, and the consequent issue of whether a commitment to worldviews is in fact a rejection of the idea that there is an objective reality which can be distinguished from worldviews.
The book gives an encyclopaedic overview of the ways that different nineteenth and twentieth century authors have engaged positively and negatively with concepts of ‘worldview.’ The information is fulsome and presented thoughtfully, with occasional forays questioning the implications and coherence of aspects of an author’s views.
Occasionally, we hear how an author like Wittgenstein preferred an alternative word to ‘worldview.’ It would have been helpful if the author had pressed the issues and asked whether those kinds of disagreements were merely verbal preferences, or whether they conveyed genuinely important philosophical distinctions. The book’s focus upon description, means that it cannot always be as analytic as the reader might otherwise wish.
Overall the author is writing from an evangelical Christian perspective. He is positive towards the idea that ‘worldview’ can have an important role to play in the presentation of Christian ideas. He accepts that mainstream theologians like Karl Barth found the idea too philosophical, and some found it to imply too much subjectivism. But, in the author’s view, the fact remains that ‘worldview’ represents an important idea in much of contemporary thinking and if Christians want to communicate effectively with their contemporary audience, then it makes sense to engage with, and use, concepts like worldview.
Written for a theological readership, the book is nevertheless accessible to readers from any background.
February 16, 2019
Livro monumental sobre a história da consolidação filosófica do conceito "cosmovisão" a partir de uma perspectiva cristã reformacional.
March 4, 2019
O Livro é excelente.
June 16, 2020
O melhor livro relativo a Cosmovisão disponível, vale muito a pena ler!
April 19, 2021
OK, much more rigorous than many books on worldview.
July 29, 2014
In this book David Naugle presents the assumption that conceiving of Christianity as a "worldview" has been one of the most significant events in the church history in the last 150 years and how the contemporary use of worldview is a totalizing approach to faith and life. Naugle first locates the origin of worldview in the writings of Immanuel Kant and surveys the rapid proliferation of its purpose throughout the English-speaking world. Naugle then provides the first study ever undertaken of the insights of major Western philosophers on the subject of worldview and offers an original examination of the role this concept has played in the natural and social sciences. Finally, Naugle gives the concept biblical and theological grounding, exploring the unique ways that worldview has been used in the Evangelical, Orthodox, and Catholic traditions.
This is an outstanding book not just the subject of worldview, but specially when it clarifies Christianity as a worldview. The author suggests that a worldview is best understood as a semiotic phenomenon, especially as a system of narrative signs that establishes a powerful framework within which people think (reason), interpret (hermeneutic) and know (epistemology. The strong point of the book is that it provides summaries of an additional contribution to evangelical reflection on worldview and offer a biography of Christian books on the topic.
If I have to lay a weakness in the book will be on leaving a question to Naugle of how we can influence or straightening the Christian worldview in order that it will be more effective in conveying the relevance of Christ.
As for my personal life and ministry, I will carry this question which I raised as the main target of my evangelist work. I do not know how it can be performed, but I think that the educational system is an open door for us to try.
This is an outstanding book not just the subject of worldview, but specially when it clarifies Christianity as a worldview. The author suggests that a worldview is best understood as a semiotic phenomenon, especially as a system of narrative signs that establishes a powerful framework within which people think (reason), interpret (hermeneutic) and know (epistemology. The strong point of the book is that it provides summaries of an additional contribution to evangelical reflection on worldview and offer a biography of Christian books on the topic.
If I have to lay a weakness in the book will be on leaving a question to Naugle of how we can influence or straightening the Christian worldview in order that it will be more effective in conveying the relevance of Christ.
As for my personal life and ministry, I will carry this question which I raised as the main target of my evangelist work. I do not know how it can be performed, but I think that the educational system is an open door for us to try.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews