weltanschauung

Weltanschauung is a German term that translates to “worldview” in English. It denotes a comprehensive set of beliefs, values, and assumptions through which individuals or groups interpret the world and guide their actions. The word combineswelt (world) and Anschauung (perception or viewing); the coinage appears in German-language philosophy and the social sciences from the 18th and 19th centuries, though its exact origin is not firmly established.

A Weltanschauung encompasses metaphysical assumptions about reality, epistemological stances on how knowledge is obtained, and normative commitments such as ethics, politics, and aesthetics. It shapes how people understand events, assess evidence, and decide what is meaningful or valuable. Weltanschauungen can be held by individuals or shared by cultures, religious communities, political movements, or scientific communities. They are not static; they evolve with experience, education, and social change, and they often come into conflict with alternative worldviews.

In scholarship, Weltanschauung is frequently discussed alongside related concepts such as Weltbild (world picture) and Lebenswelt (life-world). It is used to analyze how different groups interpret reality, justify policies, or integrate science and faith. Common examples include the Enlightenment worldview, a Christian worldview, a secular humanist worldview, or a scientific worldview. Critics note that the term can be broad or essentializing, and care is needed to distinguish one’s own worldview from the diverse beliefs of others.

See also: worldview, Weltbild, Lebenswelt.