Our society today seems to have lost the ability to engage in reasoned and rational debate and has replaced it with character assassination and name calling. We are unwilling to concede that two people of good heart and intent can disagree on a subject; rather, anyone who disagrees with us is evil and should be labeled with a host of derogatory titles.

If we are going to resolve the significant challenges facing society today, we must first start by understanding the bias and perceptual differences that various members face. We start by understanding our own bias, then, perhaps, we can start to understand those of someone else.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

• Analyze perceptual difference using the Four Lens framework.
• Compare and contrast views on social justice issues.

Resources

• File: Four Lens Model of Worldview Development

Background Information

Scholars for many years have understood that people are products of their traditions, education, and experiences. Yet, are people more than simply the sum of these experiences? Philosophers and sociologists have debated these issues. Behaviorialists and humanists argue that people are simply machines responding to their prior experiences and the events that go on around them; free will is an illusion (Moreland & Craig, 2003). Dualists and Christians argue that people are more than machines, that human beings have a spiritual dimension, and that people can and do make decisions that can change their future and make them more than biological machines.

Of perhaps more relevance is the understanding that values and beliefs shape what is seen and how it is seen. One of the earliest experiments in perceptional research determined that people tend to see what they expect to see, and tend not to see what they do not expect to see (Brunner & Postman, 1996). Even trained observers and scientists are not immune to this; Kuhn (1996) noted that scientific breakthroughs are typically made by young scientists who are not conditioned to look at their data through the lens of established theory. Kuhn (1996) cited numerous examples of major scientific revolutions that occurred when young scientists were driven to explain data that older scientist discounted as erroneous. Some of these scientists include Galileo, Black, Maxwell, Einstein, and Collins (Kuhn, 1996).

One of the founders of the Wesleyan-Armenian theological perspective, John Wesley, observed that there are four different lenses through which people see the world, and that all knowledge is acquired through these lenses (Wesley, 1964). These lenses or domains are termed cultural, experiential, reason, and spiritual.

All people are brought up in a culture, a distinct set of traditions and values taught by parents, family, and friends (Hofstede, 2001). Generally, people are unaware of the cultural or traditions that shape their perceptions and knowledge of the world around them (Hofstede, 2001). This is one reason that being exposed to multiple cultures is key to developing critical thinking. Once people start to see and understand other cultures, they better understand their own and how that culture affects their knowledge and thinking (Hofstede, 2001).

People also acquire knowledge through their own experiences (Wesley, 1964). These experiences may be in contradiction to people's culture and traditions. You may know someone who had a traumatic or vivid experience. Such experiences, particularly at a young age, can shape and mold behavior long after the experience itself has past (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 2005). Experience can be a harsh teacher, but people tend to remember best that which they have personally experienced (Knowles et al., 2005). This is why this program strives to incorporate the student's experiences in the work place into the education process.

Wesley further suggested that people also have intellect and reason. People have the ability to study, to ponder evidence, and to make conclusions that differ from their traditions and experiences (Wesley, 1964). The academic world you are presently in is one that particularly seeks to train and develop your reason, critical thinking skills, and your ability to draw conclusions on your own.

Finally, as a Christian, Wesley argued that people are spiritual beings with a soul, that God exists, and that God speaks to them both through His Spirit, and His Word (Wesley, 1964). On those issues addressed by the Word of God, Wesley (1964) argued that Scripture should supersede the other three sources of knowledge; where God's Word is silent, God's Spirit speaks to the believer.

In today's business world, having a clear set of values and beliefs is a cornerstone to ethical decision-making. Christians believe that Scripture is an effective and comprehensive guide to life and to decision-making. Through this graduate program, you will continually be referred back to Scripture to aid in evaluating decisions and improve decision-making. However, it is also important to understand what the other three lenses tell you. A better understanding of all four lenses will help you better relate to others with different belief systems and different cultural and experiential knowledge.

References

Brunner, J. S., & Postman, L. (1968).On the perception of incongruity: A paradigm, perception and personality: A symposium. New York, NY: Greenwood Press.

Hofstede, G. (2001).Culture's consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions and organizations across nations.(2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

Knowles, M. S., Holton, E. F., & Swanson, R. A. (2001).The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development(6th ed.). New York, NY: Elsevier.

Kuhn, T. (1996),The structure of scientific revolutions.Chicago. IL: The University of Chicago Press.

Mooreland, J. P., & Craig, W. L. (2003).Philosophical foundations for a Christian worldview.Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press.

Wesley, J. (1964). In A. C. Outler (Ed.),John Wesley(p. iv). Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. Many business concepts are seen in completely different lights, depending upon the perspective used. For example, profit is seen by many in today's culture as evil, or at least something that should be minimalized. An academic study of profit presents it as an indicator of efficient operation, satisfying market need and the applause of a happy customer.
3. Download and review theFour Lens Model of Worldview Developmentfile.
4. Using the Four Lens Model of Worldview Development, thoughtfully consider what you know of Profit, Off Shoring, Taxes, Affirmative Action, and Social Responsibility. Each of these concepts is controversial and has ethical implications. How you view each concept often depends on the lens used in acquiring knowledge about the concept.
5. Select one word or phrase from the list below, that describes the ethical nature of the controversy for each concept as seen through each of the four lenses, and place it in each cell of the table on the Four Lens Model of Worldview Development document. There should be only one word or phrase per cell.

Applause of a happy customer Belongs to the government Belongs to the Lord Belongs to the owner Can promote immoral causes Cost of doing business Depresses Job growth Efficient operation Equal before God Equal outcome Ethical duty Evil Excess of revenue over cost Fair share Improves profits Job killer Justifies any action Justify past wrongs Lowers cost

Lowers the quality of workers Maximizes efficiencies May violate shareholder beliefs Patriotic Progressive in nature Promotes charitable funding Punish the Innocent Raises required rates of return Raises the standard of living Remedy for discrimination Result of comparative advantage Robs blessings Social expectation Taken from the poor The only goal To be a good corporate citizen To make profit Two wrongs do not make a right Unpatriotic