Relation toward Life. Context of Biocentric Orientation

In this paper the author analyses the results of empirical research of the perception of "the relation toward life" (biocentrism). The hypothesis in this paper is that biocentrism is multi-dimensional & that individual dimensions of biocentrism are connected with dimensions of perceiving the problem: "comprehension of death & meaning of life", "irresponsibility for life", "social & environmental orientation" & "believing". The research has been carried out at five faculties of the University of Zagreb, in 2004, (N=492) with university students on the first & final year of study. Techniques of bivariant & multivariant statistics have been applied. Factor analysis has shown three dimensions (factors) of biocentricity: "respect of life" (Fl), "autonomy of nature" (F2) & "life protection" (P3). Factors (dimensions) on other applied instruments have been established using the same technique. The correlation of dimensions of "biocentrism" with dimensions established on other instruments has shown a positive connection: Respondents who prefer "responsibility for all life" are more inclined to "respect for life", they find the meaning of life in "the faith of God", they are eco-centrically oriented, they are of "Christian creed", of female sex & study at the Roman Catholic Theological Faculty (RCTF); respondents who prefer "responsibility only for human life" are relatively inclined to "the autonomy of nature", the meaning of life they find in "individualism", they are "anthropocentrically" oriented, incline to "superstition-stereotypes", they are of male sex; respondents who prefer "responsibility for all life" are more inclined to "protection of life", they find the meaning of life in "the faith of God", they are "eco-centrically" oriented, are of "Christian creed" & study at RCTF. Tables, References. Adapted from the source document.