Can a Leopard Replace Its Spots? Worldview Conservatism and Conversion
In my past few blog posts, I have noted the influence
that worldview exerts on us through confirmation bias, experiential
accommodation, the pool of live options, and life motivation. A logical
conclusion from the noted influences of worldview is simple and
straightforward: once a worldview is in place within the individual’s heart,
the individual tends (all other things being equal) to preserve that worldview.
That is, worldviews are inherently conservative. Individuals spend their
formative years developing their worldviews through a complex interaction of
sociocultural influences—for example, family, education, religion, and economic
situation. A worldview may develop with some intentionality and choice, or it
might arise and grow entirely unconsciously and unintentionally. Either way,
once worldview is established, it is firmly entrenched and exerts tremendous
influence on how a person thinks, wills, and acts.
In my last post, I explored internal worldview
adjustments – how we can change some of our component beliefs without moving to
an entirely new overarching worldview. That exploration raised the question, “Can
worldviews change?” And if so, how? I’d like now to return to that issue.
Worldview conversion.
Worldviews
represent our understanding of the world around us. The questions involved at
the core of our worldview are foundational. Such beliefs, once developed, are
not easily altered. There is, however, an important distinction to be drawn. A
worldview that is held unconsciously is altered and even converted in a
different fashion from one that is held consciously and intentionally.
