or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
More Buying Choices
100 used & new from $0.01

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog
 
 

The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Stephen Crane captured our plight as we in the late twentieth century face the universe..." (more)
Key Phrases: new consciousness worldview, theistic existentialism, occult version, The Universe Next Door, Jesus Christ, John Lilly (more...)
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)

List Price: $15.00
Price: $11.70 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $3.30 (22%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Usually ships within 2 to 3 weeks.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

11 new from $6.80 88 used from $0.01 1 collectible from $5.50

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
  Kindle Edition, May 31, 1997 $9.99 -- --
  Paperback, May 31, 1997 $11.70 $6.80 $0.01
  Audio, CD, February 14, 2006 $63.00 $39.69 --
  Audio, Download Offsite Link $7.87 or less with new Audible membership

Frequently Bought Together

The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog + Naming the Elephant: Worldview As a Concept + Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity
Price For All Three: $36.17

Some of these items ship sooner than the others. Show details

  • This item: The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog by James W. Sire

    Usually ships within 2 to 3 weeks.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Naming the Elephant: Worldview As a Concept by James W. Sire

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity by Nancy Pearcey

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity

2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity

by Eddie L. Hyatt
4.1 out of 5 stars (15)  $6.31
Engaging God's World: A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning, and Living

Engaging God's World: A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning, and Living

by Cornelius Plantinga
4.4 out of 5 stars (9)  $10.88
Constructing a Life Philosophy (Opposing Viewpoints Series)

Constructing a Life Philosophy (Opposing Viewpoints Series)

by Mary E. Williams
$23.83
Why Should Anyone Believe Anything at All?

Why Should Anyone Believe Anything at All?

by James W. Sire
3.7 out of 5 stars (3)  $10.88
Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian World View

Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian World View

by J. Richard Middleton
4.8 out of 5 stars (6)  $10.88
Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A most magnificently useful book." --E. M. Blaiklock

"If you are looking for an introductory exposition of prominent worldviews, I know of no better book." --Nicholas Wolterstorff

"To think intelligently today is to think worldviewishly, to come to terms with the mosaic of meaning systems which make up modern thinking. This book is a clear introduction and invaluable guide." --Os Guinness --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.


Product Description

In addition to explications of such worldviews as theism, deism, naturalism, nihilism, Marxism, and others, this third edition includes a new chapter on postmodernism and a thoroughly revised chapter on New Age philosophy.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 237 pages
  • Publisher: InterVarsity Press; 3rd edition (June 1997)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0830818995
  • ISBN-13: 978-0830818990
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #592,196 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category: (What's this?)

    #43 in  Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy > Theism

More About the Author

James W. Sire
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Visit Amazon's James W. Sire Page

Inside This Book (learn more)




What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog
95% buy the item featured on this page:
The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog 3.5 out of 5 stars (63)
$11.70
Universe Next Door
2% buy
Universe Next Door 3.0 out of 5 stars (2)
The Universe Next Door (EasyRead Large Edition)
2% buy
The Universe Next Door (EasyRead Large Edition)
$21.11
Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity
1% buy
Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity 4.4 out of 5 stars (85)
$13.59

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

 

Customer Reviews

63 Reviews
5 star:
 (29)
4 star:
 (8)
3 star:
 (6)
2 star:
 (8)
1 star:
 (12)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.5 out of 5 stars (63 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
49 of 55 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introduction to an Important Topic., September 22, 2003
By Kyle Demming "skepticalchristian.com" (Freeland, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
In "The Universe Next Door", James Sire articulates and discusses all of the major worldviews held by persons today. Since worldviews are important to every individual, this book is relevant and useful for almost everybody. Each worldview is explained quickly and concisely, which means that this book is by no means a comprehensive look at the issue. However, this is a strength rather than a weakness- the short chapters are easy to grasp and Sire relays complicated ideas in an easy-to-understand manner.

Sire definitely approaches the issue from a Christian perspective. Some may see this as a major flaw, but I think it is appropriate for Sire to openly announce his biases rather than try to hide them. In any case, I feel Sire is correct in that theism is the only consistent and complete worldview. His discussion of Christian theism is absolutely great. Sire does point out that there are many "inner" issues or problems within Christianity- but still contends that Christianity provides the outer framework of a consistent worldview.

"The Universe Next Door" is a recommended read for everyone.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
47 of 53 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Praise from a "Pagan", August 19, 1999
By A Customer
I first read Mr. Sire's book when I was earnestly striving to be an evangelical protestant. As I eventually became a universalist mystic, one might safely assume that Sire's Christian theistic arguments failed to convince me. Nevertheless, I found the book a useful introduction then, and still refer to it now, although for quite different purposes than the author likely intended. This is an excellent introduction to different philosophical points of view, and although the categories are rather broad, the footnotes are extensive and give great amplification to the text. As one might expect, Mr. Sire's pro-Christian bias is unapologetically present throughout [as he himself admits in the introduction], yet he is nevertheless fair in presenting the basic arguments for each worldview in it's own terms and often in the words of those who champion each school of thought. In closing, I would recommend this book to anyone who is seeking an accessible introduction to the major modern worldviews, whether they be Christian or not. Hopefully others will find this book as great a help in forging their personal philosophies as I have found it in creating mine.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An Enduring Work, January 12, 2004
By A Customer
I chuckled as I read reviews critical of this ambitious little book. What did its critics expect? A book critical of theism from InterVarsity Press would be shocking.

I first read this book when it was published about twenty years ago. It is not as detailed as Norm Geisler's Introduction to Apologetics but it serves a different purpose and is aimed at a different audience. The value of the book is obvious from the number of reprints it has enjoyed over the years. The author writes with understanding and appreciation for other worldviews. I expect this from a professor of English who wrote a book entitled "How to Read Slowly." One of Sire's favorite authors is Saul Bellow; Sire would purchase Bellow's books sight unseen. His literary tastes should tell discerning readers a great deal about the author. As a professor of English, Sire writes clearly and lucidly about a subject that others fumble and stumble through.

The only other author who has attempted such an ambitious book about understanding worldviews is Mortimer Adler, the deceased editor of Encyclopedia Britanica. Adler's and Sire's works on worldviews compare favorably. If anything, this single book by Sire has a greater scope than any of Adler's books except for The Great Ideas: A Lexicon of Western Thought. And Sire is just about at the same level for concise, pointed critiques of various worldviews.

A critical assessment of postmodernism (Foucault, Derrida, etc.) is a welcome chapter in the book. I don't believe that Foucault's dependence on Heidegger is acknowledged. Barthes and Lucan are not discussed. I find Tasic's Mathematics and the Roots of Postmodern Thought to be among the most interesting and sympathetic surveys of the complex postmodern phenomenon. It might serve as an excellent supplementary text although it might prove to be challenging reading.

This well-written book is highly recommended for readers looking for a single book that fairly and concisely assesses worldviews.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog
This is an exhaustive study of worldviews, well written, with a wealth of detail for those who require this. Read more
Published 1 month ago by SG Mey

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource
Very, very useful in understanding major worldviews--and, of course, what constitutes a worldview. Read it. It was one of my favorite college textbooks.
Published 5 months ago by J. Knape

1.0 out of 5 stars Where is the option to award less than one star?
This book is offered as a textbook to give college students the opportunity to explore various worldviews. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jennifer Java

5.0 out of 5 stars great book
this was a great book. it was very insightful. the author did a great job of defining and describng the most prominent worldviews held in todays world.
Published 14 months ago by Ashley W. Cannon

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
We used this book in our class on Western Heritage. It is really useful in explaining the differences in current world views as well as the development and historical aspects of... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Jason

3.0 out of 5 stars A Read-Worthy, Christian Leaning Overview With Some Annoying Faults
The Universe Next Door
James W. Sire
This review is on the Second Edition of the book, copyright 1988. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Reynaldo Reynoso

5.0 out of 5 stars A Christian analysis of other presuppositions
There are a number of reviewers who are under the impression that the only way to write a world-view catalog is from an objective position which has no bias at all. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mr. Jason D. Ward

5.0 out of 5 stars A satisfying overview of our Worldviews.
This is, and excellent treatment of Worldviews and, covers in enough detail all those general categories into which all people must fall. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Joel D. Weber

5.0 out of 5 stars Start here
If your question is "which God?" this is a great place to begin. If it weren't for this amazing book, I might still be floundering around in search of the truth.
Published 20 months ago by Kitty Foth-Regner

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, overly biased read
I had to read this book for a Worldview class at Dallas Baptist University. The goal of my class was supposedly for me to establish my worldview and develop an understanding... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Winter

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   




Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.