The “world” is one of the central notions of philosophy and theology, both of which tell of “God and the world”. This article will discuss the various formal notions of the world, the various ways in which it can be understood, in the light of linguistic, historical and conceptual data. For other aspects, see World Picture, God-World Relationship, Church and World.
A. Linguistic Usage
The English word “world” (cf. Old English woruld) is probably from wer, man, and the root of old. …