Difference Between Worldview and Ideology

Key Difference – Worldview vs Ideology
 

Worldview and ideology are two terms that refer to our beliefs and ideals. Worldview is the way someone sees and interprets the world. Ideology is a set of beliefs and ideals, especially those that form the basis of economic or political theory and policy. The key difference between worldview and ideology is that ideology is often used in political and economic contexts whereas worldview is used to refer to an individual’s overall perspective of the world.

What is Worldview?

In simple terms, worldview refers to the way someone sees the world. The Oxford dictionary defines worldview as “a particular philosophy of life or conception of the world.” The American Heritage defines it as “the overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.”

The term worldview is derived from the German Weltanschauung. The way we view the most significant aspects of the world such religion, culture, knowledge, values and history depends on our worldview. It is our worldview that helps us to decide what is good, right, rational, beautiful or valuable. However, our beliefs about the world can either be correct or incorrect or a combination of the both.

The philosophers Norman Geisler and William describe worldview as “an interpretive framework through which or by which one makes sense out of the data of life and the world.”

What is Ideology?

Ideology can be simply described as a set of ideas and beliefs of a group of people. The Oxford dictionary defines ideology as “a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy”. The American Heritage defines it as “a set of doctrines or beliefs that are shared by the members of a social group or that form the basis of a political, economic, or other system.”

One’s goals, beliefs, expectations, and motivations are made up of ideology. Ideology can be composed of both conscious and unconscious ideas.

In political and social studies, ideology refers to a collection of principles, ideals, myths, symbols and doctrines of social class, movement, institution or a majority group that explains how the society should work. Political ideologies are concerned with various aspects of a society, including education, health care, judiciary system, economy and social security and welfare, ethnicity, military, migration and immigration, environment, trade, and religion.

What is the difference between Worldview and Ideology?

Definition:

Worldview:  Worldview is the overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.

Ideology: Ideology is a set of ideas and ideals, especially those which form the basis of economic or political theory and policy.

Individual vs Group:

Worldview: Worldview can be the perception of an individual.

Ideology: Ideology is shared by a group of people.

Context:

Worldview: Worldview is concerned with religion and philosophy.

Ideology: Ideology is concerned with economy and politics.

Reference:

Geisler, N. L., Watkins, W. D., & Geisler, N. L. (1989). Worlds apart: A handbook on world views. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Image Courtesy:

“155991” (Public Domain) Pixabay

“Multi-axis political spectrum” By Political-spectrum-multiaxis.png: Guðsþegnderivative work: — cBuckley (Talk • Contribs) – Political-spectrum-multiaxis.png (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia