Exploring Christian Values and Decision-Making in Healthcare The Christian Perspective of the Nature of Spirituality and Ethics In Contrast To the Postmodern Relativism
Christianity provides a religious viewpoint and ethics. Christianity argues that spirituality is the theological lens that explains the concept of God regarding who, what, and how. In Christianity, God is viewed as omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent (Grand Canyon University, 2020). Based on this concept of God, Christians have devised belief systems present in the Bible. The Bible is the holy book that guides the Christian religion (BibleProject, 2018). The belief systems developed by Christians explain the true meaning of life. By knowing the true meaning of life, human beings can truly live a holy life that glorifies God. Even though human beings have the right to make choices concerning their life, spirituality guides them on choices that glorify God.
Furthermore, God guides what happens in life, whether good or bad (Grand Canyon University, 2020). Spirituality thus has a symbolic function in Christianity. Christians perceive ethics as making decisions based on God’s guidance through the Bible (Grand Canyon University, 2020). They use the Bible to make ethical decisions that conform to God’s requirements. Consequently, Christianity’s viewpoint of spirituality and ethics affects healthcare since it guides decision-making based on Biblical scriptures. The main focus is reducing human suffering and restoring life.
On the other hand, postmodern relativism offers a more open-minded comprehension of spirituality. Postmodern relativism argues that the truth depends on preferences, opinions, and cultures (Grand Canyon University, 2020). It believes the truth is subjective and not absolute. Postmodern relativism also argues that ethical dilemmas could be valid or invalid since they are subjective (Grand Canyon University, 2020). The implication is that no single opinion should be rejected due to its contradictory nature. Postmodern relativism is essential in healthcare since it promotes multicultural care that accepts diversity.
Scientism and Arguments Against It
Scientism is a speculative ideology concerning the reality of the universe and its meaning (Burnett, 2018). It is a position in philosophy that is different from science. The views of scientism are assertions concerning science. On the one hand, strong scientism opines that the only knowledge we can possess concerning is those that have been adequately tested in hard sciences such as chemistry and physics (Moreland, 2018). All other opinions in theology, politics, and ethics are private opinions and emotions.
On the other hand, weak scientism believes in justified beliefs outside of the sciences (Moreland, 2018). However, the claims made by hard science supersede weak scientism. Weak scientism is an enemy of science. Science is based on many assumptions, such as math and the objectivity of the external world (Moreland, 2018). Our faculties can gain knowledge of the external world. These assumptions cannot be tested within the limits of science, more so hard sciences. Weak scientism disregards the rationality of philosophy and clarification of scientific assumptions, making it an enemy and not a friend of science (Moreland, 2018).
The first main argument against scientism is that science has clear limitations. Even though science is a powerful means of gaining knowledge of the universe, it has limitations since it is not the only way to gain knowledge. Science does not have the authority to tell individuals what should be done morally and cannot determine the right course of action in ethical conflicts (Grand Canyon University, 2020). The second argument is that scientism is a contradictory philosophy. It validates itself by definition since it cannot be scientifically proven (Grand Canyon University, 2020). Lastly, scientism distorts science and disintegrates ethics and religion (Moreland, 2018).
Ultimate Reality
Ultimate reality can be defined as searching for the highest authority in life and the world. Ultimate reality is the source of good and bad (Grand Canyon University, 2020). It is a foundation or person beyond which no person can appeal for knowledge or truth. It answers questions of whom, where, and final meaning. Atheism opines that ultimate reality is present in the material world (Grand Canyon University, 2020). This shapes how they view human nature, ethics, and human life. My ultimate reality is that I am a product of my interactions with my environment. I am a product of nature. My friends, family, neighborhood, and environmental factors have influenced my values, cognitive processes, and mannerisms. As a Christian, I believe in monogamy. Christianity allows me to make decisions based on Biblical scriptures and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Nature of the Universe
The nature of the universe is closely related to ultimate reality. Some indiv