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Single Idea 18683

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

Full Idea

It is natural to assume that if we can compare two objects or states of affairs, X and Y, then X is either better than, or worse than, or as good as Y. This has been called the Trichotomy Thesis.

Gist of Idea

Trichotomy Thesis: comparable values must be better, worse or the same

Source

Francesco Orsi (Value Theory [2015], 6.2)

Book Ref

Orsi,Francesco: 'Value Theory' [Bloomsbury 2015], p.102

A Reaction

This is the obvious starting point for a discussion of the difficult question of the extent to which values can be compared. Orsi says even if there was only one value, like pleasure, it might have incommensurable aspects like duration and intensity.

The 25 ideas with the same theme [what is desirability or worth in something?]:

4370 For Aristotle 'good' means purpose, and value is real but relational [Achtenberg on Aristotle]
20846 Prime values apply to the life in agreement; useful values apply to the natural life [Stoic school, by Diog. Laertius]
20160 Kant focuses exclusively on human values, and neglects cultural and personal values [Kekes on Kant]
24149 Values need a perspective, of preserving some aspect of life [Nietzsche]
5920 Value is held to be either a quality, or a relation (usually between a thing and a mind) [Ross]
5923 The arguments for value being an objective or a relation fail, so it appears to be a quality [Ross]
24191 We want our values to be eternal [Weil]
20762 There are no values to justify us, and no excuses [Sartre]
19646 Values don't accumulate; they are ruthlessly replaced [Cioran]
21749 Altruistic values concern other persons, and ceremonial values concern practices [Quine]
18681 The base for values has grounds, catalysts and intensifiers [Dancy,J, by Orsi]
20150 There are far more values than we can pursue, so they are optional possibilities [Kekes]
20156 We are bound to regret some values we never aspired to [Kekes]
20158 Innumerable values arise for us, from our humanity, our culture, and our individuality [Kekes]
20159 Cultural values are interpretations of humanity, conduct, institutions, and evaluations [Kekes]
20161 The big value problems are evil (humanity), disenchantment (cultures), and boredom (individuals) [Kekes]
23741 Is valuing something a matter of believing or a matter of desiring? [Smith,M]
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]
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]
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]
24169 We can treat value as a verb; we value something when we positively engage with it [Cochrane]