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Single Idea 18682

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 1. Nature of Value / a. Nature of value ]

Full Idea

The whole 'being pleased by cats being tortured' is definitely not better, and is likely worse, than cats being tortured. So its value cannot result from a sum of the intrinsic values of the parts.

Gist of Idea

A complex value is not just the sum of the values of the parts

Source

Francesco Orsi (Value Theory [2015], 5.3)

Book Ref

Orsi,Francesco: 'Value Theory' [Bloomsbury 2015], p.86

A Reaction

This example is simplistic. It isn't a matter of just adding 'pleased' and 'tortured'. 'Pleased' doesn't have a standalone value. Only a rather gormless utilitarian would think it was always good if someone was pleased. I suspect values don't sum at all.

The 14 ideas from Francesco Orsi

18666 Value-maker concepts (such as courageous or elegant) simultaneously describe and evaluate [Orsi]
18667 The '-able' concepts (like enviable) say this thing deserves a particular response [Orsi]
18672 Values from reasons has the 'wrong kind of reason' problem - admiration arising from fear [Orsi]
18668 Truths about value entail normative truths about actions or attitudes [Orsi]
18670 The Buck-Passing view of normative values says other properties are reasons for the value [Orsi]
18669 Values can be normative in the Fitting Attitude account, where 'good' means fitting favouring [Orsi]
18677 A thing may have final value, which is still derived from other values, or from relations [Orsi]
18680 To avoid misunderstandings supervenience is often expressed negatively: no A-change without B-change [Orsi]
18679 Things are only valuable if something makes it valuable, and we can ask for the reason [Orsi]
18682 A complex value is not just the sum of the values of the parts [Orsi]
18683 Trichotomy Thesis: comparable values must be better, worse or the same [Orsi]
18684 Rather than requiring an action, a reason may 'entice' us, or be 'eligible', or 'justify' it [Orsi]
18685 Final value is favoured for its own sake, and personal value for someone's sake [Orsi]
18686 The Fitting Attitude view says values are fitting or reasonable, and values are just byproducts [Orsi]