Definition

Noun: A comprehensive, fundamental understanding or perspective of the world and human life, encompassing a person's or group's beliefs, values, and interpretation of reality.

Usage

A "world view" is a framework of ideas and beliefs through which an individual, culture, or group interprets the world and interacts with it. It shapes one's understanding of existence, morality, purpose, and the nature of reality.

Examples

• Her scientific world view emphasizes empirical evidence and natural laws.
• The novel explores the clash between a traditional religious world view and modern secularism.
• Studying anthropology exposes you to many different cultural world views.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a world view": To possess a particular comprehensive perspective.
  • He has a surprisingly optimistic world view for someone who has experienced so much hardship.
• "To shape/inform one's world view": To influence or form the basis of one's fundamental perspective.
  • Her travels profoundly shaped her world view.

Variants and Related Words

• Worldview (noun): An alternative, often single-word, spelling of "world view" with identical meaning.
  • The philosopher discussed his personal worldview.
• Weltanschauung (noun): A German term borrowed into English, synonymous with "world view" but often used in more academic or philosophical contexts to denote a comprehensive philosophical conception of the world.

Synonyms

• Philosophy: A particular system of thought or beliefs.
• Ideology: A system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.
• Cosmology: (In philosophy) A theory or conception of the origin and nature of the universe.
• Outlook: A person's point of view or general attitude to life.

Related Phrases

• Framework of belief: The underlying structure of one's convictions.
• Conceptual framework: A structured set of concepts and ideas.

Related Idioms

• "To see/ view the world through (someone's) eyes": To understand or imagine how someone else perceives and interprets reality, closely related to understanding their world view.
  • Reading her diary helped me see the world through her eyes.

Noun

1. a comprehensive view of the world and human life