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Single Idea 20150

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

Full Idea

A significant feature of our system of values is that it provides many more values than we could pursue. ...We encounter values as possibilities, and we must accept or reject them.

Gist of Idea

There are far more values than we can pursue, so they are optional possibilities

Source

John Kekes (The Human Condition [2010], 03.1)

A Reaction

This immediately invites the lovely question of what values you are going to invoke when you discriminate among the values available in your culture. Nietzsche says it comes down to 'taste'.

Book Reference

Kekes,John: 'The Human Condition' [OUP 2010], p.50