0.2.1 Introduction to Values: Theoretical Analysis

Version 1.1 March 2013                                               Previous Version

1. Philosophy

Most people don't care a hoot about philosophy.  “Practical� or “realistic� people in business or science often disparage philosophy as a waste of time: inconclusive, confusing gobbledegook.  But everyone has “a philosophy� even if they can't spell it out in words.  Most of us absorbed our philosophy from our family, school, community, and workplace.  Often our philosophy is based on 100 year old science, 1000s of years old religion, and the latest 10 seconds of media hype.

Here we step through the major issues, one by one.  it's not too hard, so stick with it.

We begin by examining our most basic beliefs about what the truth is, what reality is like, whether god(s) exist, whether we have souls and where goodness and beauty come from.

We can't define in advance what is reasonable: we have to look at each issue, clarify the options available, justify which are reasonable views, make our choices and move on. 

As we look at these philosophical issues we face dilemmas that can't be resolved by appeals to reason and the evidence, as we do in science and history.  We are forced to make choices.

The choices we make reflect our values.  The core choices we make in our philosophy reflect our core values, the most fundamental values on which we base the rest of our lives.

This analysis shows that it is reasonable for us to choose these core values:

Truth, Diversity, Reality, Life, Love, Beauty, Responsibility, Equality, Hope.

We argue that these values are reasonably orthogonal: choosing one doesn’t imply another. 

●   Some value the truth but are intolerant of diversity – they are certain they know the truth. 

●   Some value diversity so much they deny the truth, saying it's all culturally relative.

●   Some value reality but see only part of it, disparaging diversity, not seeing the truth.

●   Some live for this life (rather than the afterlife) but remain without hope for the future, despairing of the truth, overwhelmed by the false belief that a material world lacks value. 

●   Some do-gooders choose the path of compassion (love), and advocate for greater equality, but deny that we must all take some responsibility for ourselves.  

●   Some value beauty but lack compassion (love) and deny equality.

●   Some are happy to value responsibility but not equality: they use the law to oppress people whose desperate circumstances gave them little choice but to live in poverty.

●   Some live in hope, but base it on untruths, intolerance, and the afterlife.

We need to choose all the above core values to follow a reasonable global way.  more

But the core value we most associate with philosophy is Truth: choosing to pursue Truth.

Our philosophy clarifies the options we can choose from, based on our core beliefs about the world.  Our analysis of science, history, religion and culture further justifies these value choices.

Do you think these eight core values provide the basis for a reasonable, global way of life? Click on feedback, or add a comment below, to tell us what you think, or suggest improvements.

Enough of a theoretical analysis.  How does a real world analysis affect these values?