When The Universe Next Door was first introduced nearly thirty years ago, it set the standard for a clear, readable introduction to worldviews. In ...
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reviews
Nov 26, 2009
Theism (infinite-personal God) ->
Deism (impersonal creator-god; clockwork universe) ->
Naturalism/humanism (biological animals/machines; deterministic) ->
Nihilism (meaningless relativity -- "what is, is right") ->
Existentialism (irrational faith in meaning) ->
Eastern Pantheistic Monism ~(God is cosmos is self) ->
The New Age (transcendent consciousness) ->
Postmodernism (isolating linguistic self-constructed truths)
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Deism (impersonal creator-god; clockwork universe) ->
Naturalism/humanism (biological animals/machines; deterministic) ->
Nihilism (meaningless relativity -- "what is, is right") ->
Existentialism (irrational faith in meaning) ->
Eastern Pantheistic Monism ~(God is cosmos is self) ->
The New Age (transcendent consciousness) ->
Postmodernism (isolating linguistic self-constructed truths)
More...
May 01, 2011
Mark
rated it: 
I have to admit that I struggled through this book a little, particularly with descriptions of worldviews and ideologies that were completely foreign to me (the chapter on Eastern Pantheistic Monism in particular stands out as a difficult chapter to get my head around!), but I feel this was a useful introduction to different types of worldview. In particular, I appreciated the author's returning time and again to the idea that we, as humans, have a desire to know and understand, and rightfully c
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Apr 09, 2007
John
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AMAZING Book! a very nice catalog of worldviews. It is a little biased from the theistic point of view but if you can ignore the bias and just take a good look at the views that really reflect your being its a great book. This book also stresses the importance of knowing and refining your worldview. I highly recommend this book. Its not one of the best books but its a really good one.
Sep 29, 2011
Dwight
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Typical Christian introduction to philosophy. A lot of generalizations, a lot of misinterpretation, and a lot of hostility. My primary problem with this waste of paper is that Sire doesn't once say that a "worldview system" besides Christian theism has anything positive about it. He even makes Christian existentialists out to be bad guys (and for the record, Barth was not an existentialist). Beyond the normal critiques I have for Christian philosophy, this book spends nearly 50 pages o
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Oct 15, 2010
Danny
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5th edition. Good analysis of main worldviews. Sire’s changes in the 5th edition concerning the concept of worldview make the book even better by expanding the concept of worldview from simply focusing on the cognitive (a network of presuppositions). Here he weaves in the helpful concept of story (for the Christian: Creation/Fall/Redemption/Consummation) as well as how one leans into the world, as they live out and apply their worldview practically and consistently.
His definition:
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His definition:
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Oct 02, 2011
Sam
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Way too biased for my taste. It reads almost as an apologetics text. The author lumps disregards all non-Christian monotheistic worldviews, though his argument for theism in the last chapter is as valid for any of the others as it is for the Christian one. He says the only logical conclusion of naturalism and secularism is nihilism, and implies that nihilism is unacceptable. The book makes only a passing reference to Buddhism and Chinese traditional worldviews (Taoism/Confucianism), lumping them
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Aug 25, 2010
Andre
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A easy to read introduction to the current worldviews of our time. The main worldviews are thoroughly and systematically analysed and compared in the framework of their historical developments. Sire concludes with a practical way to choose a worldview which compells one, after all his sober and sometimes whitty arguments, to opt for the "Christian Theism" worldview.
Nov 18, 2009
ReadHowYouWant
rated it:
James Sire’s The Universe Next Door explains the basics of theism, deism, naturalism, nihilism, existentialism, Eastern monism, and the new consciousness. Nicholas Wolterstorff, author of Art in Action: Toward a Christian Aesthetic says, “If you are looking for an introductory exposition of prominent worldviews, I know of no better book.”
Dec 24, 2011
Bob
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This book is very informative, but not for the average person. It takes some external sources to grasp the scope of what the author is actually saying. It is geared for Christian thinkers, and helps reveal the mindset of those that think differently. Because of the comprehensiveness in readability, I gave the book 4 stars.
Jan 27, 2011
Alex
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An incredibly well written book that gives an overview of the movement of philosophy in the West. It is approachable enough that any thoughtful person can read it, but also provides enough depth that one can enter into intelligent conversation about the subject matter.
Jan 08, 2012
Scott
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This is an excellent introduction to philosophy and Christian apologetics. The chapters on postmodernism and New Age are increasingly relevant today. Overall, a great look at the various worldviews and how they relate to the Judeo-Christian worldview.
Aug 24, 2009
Truly a standard. Compares Christian Theism to Deism to Naturalism to Nihilism to Existentialism to Eastern Pantheistic Monism to Postmodernism, etc. The author is a Christian, formerly professor of English at Northern Illinois University.
Oct 24, 2011
Charity
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Sire is another author with good ideas, but whose expression just doesn't speak to me. Sorry. I know lots of people who LOVE his ideas and his expression. Don't let my review stop you from checking him out!
Dec 17, 2009
Jeremy
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Although a Christian publishing, Sire gives balanced views on many worldviews/metanarratives from pantheism/naturalism/existentialism/nihilism/postmoderism (you get the idea). Recommended for college folk.
Nov 30, 2011
viktor
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A really helpful book. The author did a good job in introducing about a dozen worldviews. The understanding of worldviews, our own as well as others', is essential in dialoguing as a Christians with others. The author outlines the presuppositions different worlviews have and draws out some of their implications.
Dec 22, 2010
Rebecca
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A wonderful, cogent, usable catalogue of world views (a term I had never heard before coming to work at a religious school). Seemed an even-handed analysis.
Feb 29, 2008
Chris
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Sire gives a tour of the different major philosophical worldviews, describing their main tenants, proponents, and attempting to evaluate their potential helpfulness and flaws. It's good introductory material, and he does his best to make it accessible to non-philosopher types, but it can be occasionally difficult to follow. Still this is a handy book for Christians (traditional Christian theists, that is) who want to understand more about worldviews like existentialism, nihilism, and the post-
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Dec 27, 2011
Daniel
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Went through it as an audiobook. Would like to pick it back up as a hard copy and give a more thorough overview.
Jan 03, 2008
Jeff
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I have read this book several times and used it as the basis for my worldview curriculum that I put together for my High School Youth Group. Sires presents 7 basic questions that all worldviews must answer. He then takes the major worldviews or philosophies of our day and looks at each of their answers to those questions. It will not only familiarize you with what others around the world believe, but will also help you see the problems with their perspectives. In the end, you will better und
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May 25, 2011
Ryan
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Great overview of prominent worldviews. From Deism to Nihilism to postmodernism. This is a great evangelism tool as it describes the number of philosophical systems people adhere to.
Jan 14, 2009
Krissy
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a great reference that serves as an introduction to/a quick refresher on various world views.
Oct 10, 2011
John
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This is a good introductory book to the idea of worldview and the main options. Sire does a great job of detailing and then criticizing each worldview. He's forthright in stating his bias toward Christian Theism, while arguing that there is no such thing as an objective perspective on worldview, as there is no neutral position.
This is a great book for college students, or beginners in worldview thinking. You'll want to go deeper after this. For the western traditions, I recommend f More...
This is a great book for college students, or beginners in worldview thinking. You'll want to go deeper after this. For the western traditions, I recommend f More...
Oct 12, 2010
Zeke
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Great way to understand how others think. I got a lil bogged down in the new age section though.
Feb 24, 2010
Suz
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Spec Mind.
Really excellent--covers all of the major worldviews in a clear and succinct way.
Really excellent--covers all of the major worldviews in a clear and succinct way.
Jan 24, 2008
Tom
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While not completely fair to new age views and post-modernism, Sire adequately presents the Christian theist worldview in contrast with eight other worldviews, including deism, naturalism, nihilism, non-theist existentialism, Christian existentialism, "Eastern pantheistic monism," new age, and post-modernism. He could have chosen better representatives of new age philosophy and been more sympathetic to the challenges of post-modernism. His own Christian theism is intelligent and fairly
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Oct 14, 2007
David
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Sire does an admirable job of first modeling the construction of a Christian theistic worldview and then comparing that worldview to several others. Sire's treatments of Deism, Naturalism, Nihilism, Existentialism and Postmodernism are all quite good. However, the book drags through his chapters on Eastern Pantheistic Monism and the New Age movement. In the end the book provides good thoughts on the make-up and function of a worldview against the backdrop of the history of Western philosophy
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Dec 13, 2009
Seriphim
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Excellent survey of worldviews. Everyone should read this to better understand others.
