Single Idea 3257

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 1. Nature of Value / c. Objective value]

Full Idea

A purely objective view has no way of knowing whether anything has any value, but actually its data include the appearance of value to individuals with particular perspectives, including oneself.

Gist of Idea

Total objectivity can't see value, but it sees many people with values

Source

Thomas Nagel (The View from Nowhere [1986], VIII.2)

Book Reference

Nagel,Thomas: 'The View from Nowhere' [OUP 1989], p.147


A Reaction

I would have thought that a very objective assessment of someone's health is an obvious revelation of value, irrespective of anyone's particular perspective.