Worldviews, Life Expressions and Social Determinants: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study

I explore in this book the relationship between worldviews -- people's perceptions of the world, in general, and nature or environment, in particular -- and lived experiences or life expressions. Later on, I added another dimension -- the social determinants. Basically, I wanted to know if people's life experiences are consistent with their worldviews, if people want an alignment of their worldviews and life expressions, and what would it take to make such an alignment possible.

This book used hermeneutic phenomenology as methodology involving seven co-researchers, who have diverse backgrounds, professions, and occupations. The methods generally include gathering and documenting lived experiences, and reflective reading of the narratives. The eidetic insight states that worldviews, life expressions, and social determinants are interrelated. The formation of worldviews is partly a product of social determinants and influenced by the lived experiences. The lived experiences or life expressions are also influenced by the worldviews and the social determinants. In addition, the social determinants can be modified, the process of which is influenced by the worldviews and life expressions. The study points out that people have varied worldviews, but there are common grounds. These worldviews are generally composite. These can be replaced as human beings gain more knowledge and experiences. Human beings seek ways to live out their respective worldviews. In the process of living out their respective worldviews, conflicts could occur. That is why there is a need for society to create the conditions that will foster the formation of integrative worldviews, which have beneficial impacts to us human beings and to our home, Planet Earth.

The setting is the Philippines and the state of its ecosystems.