At Praxis Circle, we use a visual tool called the “Ten Worldview Pillars” to illustrate the basic categories through which every person sees and interprets life—regardless of their particular worldview. Each pillar represents a broad category of related metaphysical words and concepts. While every worldview will not include all ten pillars, in today’s globalized society, each person must decide to include, exclude, or redefine each pillar for themselves. Below, we explain how this tool works and how it can help you better understand both your own worldview and the perspectives of others.
The Three Spheres
The Ten Pillars are organized into three, often overlapping spheres that help us understand how these concepts interact:
- The Supernatural refers to the transcendent, spiritual realities that exist beyond the physical.
- The Natural includes the physical world every person experiences, and—within certain theistic worldviews—where God enters through means of Grace.
- Human Relations covers how human beings view, interact with, and organize one another.
To see how these spheres overlap, consider the Morality pillar that we have placed in the Human Relations sphere. At a most practical level, Morality is the vast realm of moral issues encountered both in private and public life. However, at the metaphysical level, it also encompasses concepts like good, evil, virtues, and vices. This is where the central pillar, the one at the center of the graphic, becomes crucial. What a worldview places at the center will dictate not only what pillars are acknowledged, but will also dictate the interpretation and interaction of those pillars.
Let us explain with an example.
In the Classical Judeo-Christian worldview (CJC), the belief that human beings are made in the image of God, Imago Dei, is the central pillar. It shapes how the other pillars are understood, influencing views on truth, morality, governance, grace, and more. Jews and Christians believe God defines goodness, and that the natural world is a created good, meaning morality is shaped by God’s character and applies across all three spheres.
Judeo-Christian Worldview Pillars
In contrast, the Marxist worldview centers on humanity alone, and rejects pillars like God, Truth, or Morality as objective realities. In such a worldview, life has no ultimate purpose beyond survival, and existence is seen as random and chaotic. In that case, the worldview diagram might include only the Natural sphere.
Marxist Worldview Pillars
How to Use This Tool
These differences show how the Ten Worldview Pillars can help us map and compare belief systems. It is a practical framework for understanding yourself, engaging in dialogue with others, and navigating a world of diverse and often conflicting perspectives.
While the Ten Pillars can be an extremely helpful tool, it’s important to note that everyone has their own personal worldview. Those who identify with a particular worldview might agree on one schema, while others might think about the pillars differently. That’s why it’s best to use the Ten Pillars as a springboard for conversation and forming logical conclusions—not to make general assumptions. Each person brings their own unique narrative to the table and there is always nuance when discussing these topics.
Here are some ways you can start using this tool as you critically think about and discuss worldview topics:
- Identify Your Own Pillars. Which of the Ten Pillars are present in your worldview? Which do you reject, redefine, or hold loosely?
- Compare Worldviews. When discussing beliefs with others, look for where your pillars overlap and where they diverge.
- Clarify Core Assumptions. The placement and interpretation of central pillars—like Imago Dei or humanity—often reveal the biggest worldview differences.
- Promote Productive Dialogue. Instead of arguing only over surface issues, use the pillars to discuss foundational beliefs in a respectful, structured way.
In future blog posts, we’ll break down the ten individual pillars, why they are important to any coherent worldview, and what they mean for our daily lives.
