Five Worldviews: The Way We See the World

Do you sometimes wonder if human beings will ever learn to get along? Worldviews are one of the lenses that help shape our perception of reality. In this thought-provoking book, Dr. Denise Ames, educator and president of the nonprofit Center for Global Awareness, explores five worldviews: indigenous, modern, fundamentalist, globalized, and transformative. Each has its own characteristics and representation, and studying each helps us to understand not just ourselves, but those around us—and around the globe.

We need to gain skills to navigate a more diverse world, which includes understanding those who live in different zip codes and have different ways of life. As we learn about these five worldviews, we can improve communication and relations with people who are similar to and different from us, uncovering shared values and bridging cultural and social divides.

This book is for adult learners, educators, and students from grade nine through university. Each chapter includes "Questions to Consider," spurring critical thinking and encouraging readers to "see" the information from perspectives beyond their own. Pictures, images, diagrams, graphs, and free on-line resources all heighten understanding.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction to Five Worldviews: The Way We See the World
Chapter 2. The Indigenous Worldview
Chapter 3. The Modern Worldview
Chapter 4. The Fundamentalist Worldview
Chapter 5. The Globalized Worldview
Chapter 6. The Transformative Worldview
Afterword: The Populist Worldview


Chapter Summaries:

Chapter 1. Introduction to Five Worldviews: The Way We See the World
In this chapter, the term worldview is defined and an overview and comparison of the five worldviews are given. In the concluding pages, worldviews as a tool for understanding other perspectives is explained.

Chapter 2. The Indigenous Worldview
A definition and characteristics of the term indigenous is highlighted in this chapter. The clash between the modern and indigenous worldviews further explains the distinguishing features of the indigenous worldview. The story of an indigenous woman, Nobel Peace Prize recipient Roberta Menchu, further highlights the tale of indigenous people.

Chapter 3. The Modern Worldview
The modern worldview, a distinct change from the indigenous worldview, is explained in four different sections—thought, economy, political, the environment, and society. The chapter concludes with a brief explanation of post-modernism.

Chapter 4. The Fundamentalist Worldview
Fundamentalism is introduced and defined in this chapter. Since most readers have been influenced by Christianity, Christian fundamentalism is explained in more depth than other types. A briefer explanation of Jewish and Islamic fundamentalism rounds out the chapter.

Chapter 5. The Globalized Worldview
Explained in this chapter, a globalized worldview emphasizes the global economy and the importance of accruing wealth. One of the main drivers of wealth creation is the expansion and growth of technology. The influence of the global economy on politics, society, and culture are highlighted.

Chapter 6. The Transformative Worldview
This chapter proposes the formation of a different worldview, the transformative worldview, which takes from and rejects aspects of the other four worldviews. The worldview is further explained in sections on cultural, political, social, economic, technological, and environmental patterns. In the concluding insights, the author looks at what is at stake in the future.

Afterword: The Populist Worldview
The afterword briefly looks at the emergence and ramifications of populism in the United States and Europe.

Dr. Denise R. Ames, a long-time educator, is president of the Center for Global Awareness. Author of six books, she develops educational resources from a global and cultural perspective for adult learners and students.