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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)

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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.

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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

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
Stephen Crane captured our plight as we in the late twentieth century face the universe. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
new consciousness worldview, theistic existentialism, occult version, adequate worldview, pantheistic monism, universe next door, prime reality, epistemological nihilism, theistic worldview, conceptual relativism, invisible universe

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
The Universe Next Door, Jesus Christ, John Lilly, Ken Wilber, Albert Camus, Alexander Pope, William Irwin Thompson, Aldous Huxley, Carlos Castaneda, Hermann Hesse, Jean Tarrou, Stephen Crane, Andrew Weil, Father Paneloux, Friedrich Nietzsche, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Lord of the Universe, Marilyn Ferguson, Matthew Arnold, Douglas Groothuis, First Cause, John Platt, Karl Barth, Michel Foucault

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Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats

Citations (learn more)

This book cites 100 books:

The Natural Mind: A New Way of Looking at Drugs and the Higher Consciousness by Andrew Weil on 5 pages
Dancing in the Light by Shirley Maclaine on 5 pages
A Brief History of Everything by Ken Wilber on 4 pages
The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell (Perennial Classics) by Aldous Huxley on 4 pages
The Portable Nietzsche (Portable Library) by Friedrich Nietzsche in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)

See all 100 books this book cites

19 books cite this book:

Worldview: The History of a Concept by David K. Naugle on page 255, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
The Truth About Worldviews: A Biblical Understanding Of Worldview Alternatives (Biblical Essentials Series) by James P. Eckman in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture: Bridging Teen Worldviews And Christian Truth by Walt Mueller on page 55, and Back Matter
The Futures of Evangelicalism: Issues and Prospects by Craig Bartholomew on page 218, and page 220
How Now Shall We Live? by Charles W. Colson in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)

See all 19 books citing this book

Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Naming the Elephant by James W. Sire

Discusses:

Making Sense of Your World by W. Gary Phillips

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Worldview by David K. Naugle

Discusses:

The Company of the Creative by David L. Larsen

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	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
	2% buy Universe Next Door 3.0 out of 5 stars (2)
	2% buy The Universe Next Door (EasyRead Large Edition) $21.11
	1% buy Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity 4.4 out of 5 stars (85) $13.59

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Customer Reviews

63 Reviews

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4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(8)
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Average Customer Review

3.5 out of 5 stars (63 customer reviews)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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