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Does the world view of the scientist influence his work as an investigator conducting research and as a clinician treating patients?

Many scholars in the history of science would answer that question with a resounding "Yes."

Some, like Thomas Kuhn in his widely quoted "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions," have argued that the scientific process is less than an objective critical empirical investigation of the facts.

They claim the work of scientists is greatly influenced by their culture, by social and psychological environment, by what Kuhn calls the "paradigm"--that is to say, the preferred or prevailing theories, methods and studies of that particular discipline, and above all by their world view--their specific beliefs about "the order of nature."

Kuhn writes that two scientists with different views of the "order of nature" . . . see different things when they look from the same point in the same direction . . . they see different things and they see them in different relations to each other."

And we might add that they tend to see and to accept those data that conform to or make sense in light of their world view.

So evidence exists that the world view of scientists and the presuppositions that view implies may influence not only the problems scientists choose to investigate but also what they actually observe and fail to observe.
--Armand Nicholi, Jr.

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| Application Papers | Books |

Studies on World Views

Surfing the Web on the topic 'worldviews' (or world views) provides ideas ranging from sustainable livelihood, free Scholar.gif (16887 bytes) thought, peace and justice, theism, and naturalism to the truth allegedly found in new age thought. Christian world views may offer a global perspective or be more narrowly based on a denominational or social action framework. Worldviews are personally wrought and honed over a lifetime.

In recent decades Evangelicals have increasingly sought to define a intellectual synthesis of life and destiny for a Christian theism which can counter the 'isms' of the day. For Arthur Holmes, a worldview "unifies thought and life...defines the good life and finds hope and meaning in life...[and] is a guide for thought and a guide to action." (Holmes, p. 5)

James Stump's basic paper on the construction of Christian worldviews is a good place to begin. Examples of applications in biology, physics, anthropology, and medicine, a large list of papers, and a bibliography are found below. Jerry Solomon's Probe Ministries article is also a good starting point.

Application Papers

H. Scott Althouse, "Called to Stewardship," PSCF 50 (December 1998): 236-238.

Boomsma, Robert A., "Embryonic Stem Cells and a Reformed Christian World View" PSCF 56.1:38-48 (3/2004).

Raymond H. Brand, "At the point of need," PSCF 39 (March 1987): 1-9.

Clouser, Roy, "Prospects for Theistic Science,", PSCF 58.1:2-15 (3/2006)

Collins, Francis S., "Faith and the Human Genome" PSCF 55.3:142-153 (9/2003)

Hutchinson, Ian, "Science: Christian and Natural Science," PSCF 55.2:72-79 (6/2003)

Charles H. Kraft, "Conservative Christians and Anthropologists: A Clash of Worldviews," PSCF 32 (September 1980): 142-145.

George L. Murphy, "Possible Influences of Biblical Beliefs upon Physics," PSCF 48:2 (June 1996): 82-7.

Terry Gray, "Thinking Christianly about Natural Science, Chemistry, and Biochemistry." (1999) John Calvin opens the Institutes of the Christian Religion with an excellent discussion on whether the knowledge of God is prior to knowledge of self or vice versa. At the risk of vastly oversimplifying and perhaps even missing Calvin's point, I will say at the outset of this essay that recognition of God as our Creator and ourselves as His creatures is the fundamental starting point for a right understanding of God, ourselves, and the world that we study. The Scriptures themselves speak of a General Revelation which points even unregenerate men and women to this truth. "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech. And night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their utterances to the end of the world." (Ps. 19:1-4) "Because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." (Rom. 1:19,20)

Armond Nicholi, Jr., "How Does the World View of the Scientist and the Clinician Influence their Work?" PSCF 41 (December 1989): 214-220. Does the world view of the scientist affect his results? C S Lewis This paper examines the influence of the investigator on his scientific observations and of the clinician on his work with his patients. Seeing the patient as an object created in the image of God influences the tone and attitude of a physician towards his patient. C. S. Lewis

Armond Nicholi, Jr., "When Worldviews Collide C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud: a comparison of their thoughts and viewpoints on life, pain and death," Parts I and II. The Real Issue January and March 1998.

Sigmund Freud

Craig Rusbult, "Worldview Balance in Public Education," (ASA web. education)

Joseph L. Spradley, "Tradition and Faith in the Copernican Revolution," PSCF 43 (March 1991): 36-42. A review of the Copernican revolution reveals the importance of nonempirical factors in its development. The writings of Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo show the continuity of their ideas with the Greek classical tradition and the connection of their work with their Christian faith. These human dimensions illustrate how cultural values, creative insights and personal commitments can be as important in science as empirical evidence.

Sherrie Steiner-Aeschliman, "Immanent Dualism as an Alternative to Dualism and Monism: the World View of Max Weber," Worldviews 4, 235-263, 2000.

Arthur N. Strahler, "How Does the World View of the Scientist & Clinician Influence Their Work?", PSCF 42 (June 1990).

James Stump, "Science, Metaphysics, and Worldviews," Boston University.

Kenell J. Touryan, "Are Truth Claims in Science Socially Constructed?" PSCF 51 (June 1999): 102-107

Books

Harry Blamires, The Christian mind: How should a Christian think? Ann Arbor: Servant Books, 1978.

Roy A. Clouser, The myth of religious neutrality, Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1991.

Os Guinness, Fit bodies, fat minds, 1994

Hendrik Hart, Understanding our world, 1984

Arthur B. Holmes, Contours of a World View, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, 1983.

Harold Heie and David Wolfe. eds., The reality of Christian learning: Strategies for faith-discipline Integration, Grand Rapids: Christian University Press. 1987

Psychology Through the Eyes of Faith was first printed in 1987 and is written by ASA Fellow David G. Myers, professor of psychology at Hope College in Holland, Mich., and Malcom A. Jeeves, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. The revised version includes new chapters such as: Evolutionary Psychology and Human Uniqueness; Science and the New Spirituality; and Forgiveness: What It Takes and What It Gives.

H. Richard Niebuhr, Christ and culture, New York: Harper Torchbooks Edition, 1975.

Thinking Like a Christian: Understanding and Living a Biblical Worldview: Teaching Textbook (Worldviews in Focus Series) by David Noebel, Chuck Edwards (Contributor)

James W. Sire, The Universe Next Door: a Basic Worldview Catalog, 3rd. ed., Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1997.

Thomas Forsyth Torrance, The Christian Frame of Mind, Colorado Springs: Helmers & Howard, 1989

Biology Through the Eyes of Faith, [2nd. ed. 2002], is written by ASA Fellow Richard T. Wright. Wright holds a Ph.D. in biology from Harvard University and is professor emeritus of biology at Gordon College in Wenham, Mass. The author stresses a biblical message of stewardship and examines the role of the life sciences in medicine, genetics and the environment. He also explores theories of origins, contrasting creationism, intelligent design and evolution.

Stephen John Wykstra, "Should Worldviews Shape Science: Toward and Integrationist Account of Scientific Theorizing," in Facets of Faith and Science. vol. 2: The Role of Beliefs in Mathematics and the Natural Science in Augustinian Perspective, edited by J. M. van der Meer (Lantham: The Pascal Centre for Advanced Studies in. Faith and Science/University Press of America, 1996).

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