#Value Theory

[dustedandsocial]

Michael Heinrich, "The Present Political Value of Marx's Value Theory"

Science & Society event at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 3/21/2024

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Axiology

Axiology is the branch of philosophy that studies values, including those of ethics and aesthetics. It focuses on understanding what constitutes "value" and seeks to explore the nature, origins, and criteria of what is considered valuable or worth pursuing in human life. Axiology is often divided into two major fields:

Ethics (Moral Values): Examines questions related to what is morally right or wrong, just or unjust, and the principles by which we make ethical judgments. Ethical axiologists explore theories of what it means to live a good life and the foundational basis of moral duties, obligations, and virtues.

Aesthetics (Aesthetic Values): Concerns itself with the nature of beauty, art, and taste. Aesthetic axiology explores the nature of artistic value, the criteria by which art and beauty are judged, and whether beauty is subjective (dependent on individual experience) or objective (having an inherent quality).

Key Questions in Axiology

Nature of Value: What does it mean for something to have value? Does value exist independently of human perception, or is it a construct of human experience?

Objective vs. Subjective Value: Are values universal and objective, or do they depend on individual or cultural perspectives?

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Value: Is something valuable in itself (intrinsic) or only valuable as a means to an end (extrinsic)?

Value Theories in Ethics and Aesthetics: How do we determine what is ethically good, beautiful, or desirable? What is the basis for moral and aesthetic judgments?

Role of Values in Life and Society: How do values shape individual lives, cultures, and societies? How do moral and aesthetic values influence human behavior and social institutions?

Philosophical Perspectives on Axiology

Objectivism in Value Theory: Argues that values exist independently of human beliefs or feelings. For instance, objectivists may hold that there are universal moral truths that apply to all people at all times, or that beauty has inherent qualities regardless of perception.

Subjectivism and Relativism: Maintains that values depend on personal or cultural perspectives. Ethical relativists, for example, believe that moral principles are not absolute but are shaped by cultural or individual differences. Similarly, in aesthetics, beauty might be seen as subjective and varying according to personal or cultural preferences.

Utilitarianism and Consequentialism: Emphasize value in terms of outcomes, such as happiness, utility, or pleasure. For example, in ethics, an act’s value is judged by its capacity to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

Deontological and Virtue Ethics: In ethics, these theories look at the inherent moral value of actions or character traits, rather than their consequences. Deontology values actions based on adherence to duty or moral law, while virtue ethics values character traits like honesty, compassion, and courage.

Aesthetic Theories of Beauty and Art: Some philosophers, like Immanuel Kant, argue that aesthetic judgments have a basis in universal feelings of harmony, while others, like Friedrich Nietzsche, believe that beauty and art derive value from their power to express individuality and challenge norms.

Influence of Axiology

Axiology plays a significant role in shaping our understanding of both personal and societal ideals. For instance, in ethics, it informs discussions on human rights, justice, and morality. In aesthetics, it influences how we interpret and appreciate art, nature, and cultural artifacts. Axiology also intersects with fields like psychology, sociology, and economics, impacting everything from individual well-being to policies around art funding and human welfare.

By clarifying what we value and why, axiology provides insight into human motivation, guiding the ethical frameworks and aesthetic standards by which we live. It helps us question and refine what is worthwhile in life, leading to a deeper understanding of human purpose, fulfillment, and social harmony.

[frank-olivier]

Art, Value, and the Visible Hand of the Market: Understanding the Invisible Forces at Play

The art world's metamorphosis into a luxury goods market has sparked intense debate about the commodification of creative works. A personal account of discovering a potentially valuable Mark Chagall print at an estate sale illustrates the complexities of this issue. Initially, the thrill of the find was eclipsed by insecurity, prompting a misguided attempt to legitimize the print's value through false claims of institutional validation. This anecdote serves as a microcosm for the art world's deeply ingrained desire for financial legitimacy, often prioritized over an artwork's intrinsic cultural, historical, or emotional significance.

The art market's emphasis on financial value is, in part, a legacy of its historically Eurocentric construction. Traditional art historical narratives have privileged Western artistic lineages, influencing the market's tendency to valorize works based on their proximity to these canons. The authentication process, once a means of verifying provenance, has evolved into a mechanism for conferring financial value. The Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board's contentious history, including a notable lawsuit, highlights the intricate web of interests driving the art market's validation apparatus.

The exponential growth of the Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWI) in the art market has further solidified the notion that artistic value is inextricably linked to financial worth. The proliferation of art-backed loans and the Mei Moses Fine Art Index, which tracks artworks' financial performance, has created a self-reinforcing ecosystem where art is increasingly treated as a luxury commodity. This development has profound implications for the way art is created, exchanged, and perceived.

Andrea Fraser's critique of the art world's complicity in its own commodification serves as a poignant reminder of the need for critical self-reflection. By acknowledging the inherent contradictions within the system, Fraser encourages stakeholders to reevaluate their participation in the art market. However, a more nuanced approach might involve recognizing the complex interplay between creative, cultural, and financial values, rather than simply opting out of the system.

Reclaiming the intrinsic value of art necessitates a multifaceted strategy. This could involve institutions and collectors actively promoting a broader definition of artistic value, one that encompasses cultural, emotional, and creative significance alongside financial worth. Moreover, fostering greater transparency within the art market, particularly regarding authentication and valuation processes, could help mitigate the influence of financial speculation. By embracing this more holistic understanding of artistic value, the art world can work towards a more equitable and sustainable ecosystem, one where creative expression is not solely beholden to financial interests.

Why I Lied to ArtNet - The Financialization of Art (Shannon Kim, November 2024)

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

[bsahely]

From Locke to Life: A Manifesto for Regenerative Governance | ChatGPT4o

[Download Full Document (PDF)] This document, titled From Locke to Life, presents a manifesto for regenerative governance, critiquing the philosophical foundations of modern political economy and proposing a new framework based on life-value. It traces the legacy of John Locke’s social contract and property theory, illustrating how these ideas have contributed to ecological degradation and social…

[itsmadhvi]

Ramayana: Learning Values That Matter

The Ramayana, known as the "first poem," is an epic that conveys lessons about duty, morality, and sacrifice through the journey of Rama and Sita. It illustrates key values such as righteousness, courage, and truth while reflecting human behavior.

The Ramayana, often called the “Adikavya” or “first poem,” is more than just an epic story—it’s a guide to life. With its deep lessons about duty, morality, sacrifice, and righteousness, it has influenced generations and continues to resonate with us today. But how can we draw wisdom from this ancient text, and what values does it teach? Let’s break it down. What Is the Ramayana? At its core,…

[republicansaretheproblem]

[rejectingrepublicans]

[tr1ppykay]

the more i participate in discussions of transmasculine issues, the more disgusted i become at the approach a lot of "trans inclusive" feminists have towards transmascs...

feminist theory exists to serve the real life people that are harmed by patriarchy. if theory is not sufficiently serving real human beings who are desperately looking for acknowledgment of their suffering, then it must be rewritten to make room for that acknowledgment. if transmasculine people are all telling you about discrimination they have experienced, and how feminist theory does not make room to talk about their unique relationship with gender based oppression, you modify the theory to make room. you don't bash them over the head with writing that doesn't account for their existence.

feminism is not a fundamentalist religion. it is a conversation that must account for new perspectives and evolve to encompass them if we want to make any progress. but many feminists who discount transmasculine experiences want to treat the current state of feminist theory as a bible of unwavering truth: if men who face gendered oppression aren't mentioned, then trans men must be wrong about their lived experiences. of course, your precious theory could never have blind spots!

[hydrossity-zone]

@sonilverweek Day 3: Gardening

[click for better quality!]

[cabbagestrand]

oh, to be taken care of

[idkwhyyouaskingm3-blog]

Is the MP definitely Trevor Herbert or is he the MP in the same way Elias Bouchard was the CEO of the Magnus Institute. I mean a homeless man would be an easy target or body snatching.

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Economism

Economism is the belief—or critique—that economic value and logic are the dominant or sole lens through which society is understood and governed. In philosophical terms, it represents a reductionist worldview, one that interprets complex human, social, and moral phenomena through the narrow criteria of economic efficiency, markets, and material gain.

Core Philosophy

Economism isn’t usually a self-declared philosophy, but rather a critique of how economic thinking has overreached into areas like education, health, ethics, and governance. It implies that:

Human behavior is reduced to rational self-interest and utility maximization.

Value is equated with price. Things that can’t be priced are undervalued or ignored.

Market logic is assumed to be superior to other forms of social organization (e.g., community, tradition, ethics).

Social issues are framed as economic problems solvable by market-based solutions.

Historical Context

Classical and Neoclassical Economics: Early economic thought was rooted in moral philosophy (e.g., Adam Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments), but over time, economics evolved into a highly quantitative, detached discipline.

20th Century Rise: As neoliberal policies gained traction in the late 20th century, economism became embedded in public policy, management, and education.

Critics: Thinkers like Karl Polanyi, Amartya Sen, Michael Sandel, and Martha Nussbaum argue that economism distorts human values and undermines democracy, empathy, and community.

Key Characteristics

Quantification of value: What can’t be measured is dismissed.

Efficiency over ethics: Decisions are made based on cost-benefit analysis rather than justice or meaning.

Instrumental thinking: People and institutions are judged by their productivity or economic utility.

Policy by GDP: Governments prioritize economic growth as the primary measure of success.

Ethical & Philosophical Implications

Dehumanization: People become “human capital,” students become “investments,” and relationships become “transactions.”

Loss of moral vocabulary: Markets can’t fully account for dignity, fairness, or love—yet these are core to human life.

Inequality and exclusion: Economism often overlooks how systemic inequalities affect access to markets and opportunities.

Questions It Raises

Can economic models adequately capture human complexity?

What is lost when we value people primarily as economic agents?

Should moral, cultural, or ecological goods be protected from market logic?

Alternatives to Economism

Human Development Approach (Amartya Sen & Martha Nussbaum): Focuses on capabilities, not just income.

Degrowth and Post-Growth Economics: Challenges the centrality of GDP and growth as goals.

Ethical Economics: Reintroduces moral reasoning into economic analysis.

Ecological Economics: Integrates environmental limits into economic thinking.

Summary

The philosophy of economism reflects a world increasingly driven by market-centric thinking, where economic logic overshadows moral, social, and cultural values. While economics offers powerful tools, economism warns of the danger in letting it become the only tool—especially in a world of plural values and human needs.

[venusiinfurss]

i truly think sunny is going to end with either macdennis kiss or macdennis full penetration (no in-between) and then dennis has an existential crisis walks outside gets hit by a car and dies. cut to black end of series

[turtleblogatlast]

[ cw: violence mention / death mention / ]

Will never stop thinking about how Leo, all alone in an endless void and being beaten again and again and again by the only other living thing around, still finds comfort in that space. The situation he was in was completely hopeless, and in any other circumstances he would not have escaped, at least not fast enough to save him from permanent (or even fatal) damage, be it physical or mental.

And yet, despite the bleakness of his situation, despite the agony and helplessness, all he needs is one glance at a crumbled photograph, one glance to remember his family, and that’s enough of a reason for him to smile.

Maybe that’s why his powers center around manipulating space - because no matter how much space is between them, no matter how dire his own situation may be, just the thought of his family, alive and okay, is enough to give Leo hope.

[macawthestarwing]

So I just had a revelation while rewatching TPOT

So during the first episode when they introduced the new contestants, Two says that they’re a prime number (prime numbers are numbers that only have the factors 1 and themselves) and it got me thinking…

Multiplication works for Algebraliens in terms of fusion. This isn’t explicitly stated, but during the 1,500,000 subscriber special Nine mentions that if they use the rock thingy (idk what it is) the wrong way, them and Six would multiply instead of add

One times any number is just the same number (ex. 1 x 15 = 15)

One could in theory multiply with someone and no one would notice

We know that One wants Two’s power…

Conclusion:

One might possibly make a deal with Two. They would get their contestants, including their best friend back, and all they have to do is fuse with One

IDK this is just a random theory my brain spawned please point out any ways to prove or disprove this theory

[republicansaretheproblem]