levensbeschouwelijke

Levensbeschouwelijke is an adjective used in Dutch to refer to matters related to a levensbeschouwing, or life stance/worldview. A levensbeschouwing is a coherent set of beliefs about the meaning of life, values, and the appropriate conduct in daily life. These beliefs can be religious, secular, humanist, or otherwise non-dogmatic, and they function as a framework that guides choices and behavior.

Etymology and scope: the term combines leven (life) with beschouwing (contemplation or consideration) and the common adjectival ending -lijk. In practice, levensbeschouwelijk describes things that pertain to how people or groups view life and morality, rather than to a specific doctrine alone. It is often used to distinguish broader life-stance considerations from strictly religious categories.

Usage and context: in sociology, philosophy, education, and public policy, levensbeschouwelijk is used to discuss beliefs that influence ethics, rights, and social practices. Phrases such as levensbeschouwelijke overtuiging (life-stance belief) appear in legal and administrative contexts to recognize non-religious as well as religious worldviews. In education and public life, there is attention to levensbeschouwelijke vorming or opvoeding, meaning the development of understanding and respect for diverse life stances.

Relation to other concepts: the term sits alongside religious discourse but emphasizes a broader pluralism in belief that includes secular ideologies. It is often used in debates about freedom of belief, secular education, and accommodation of diverse worldviews in institutions, ensuring that non-religious as well as religious life stances receive consideration and protection.