more from W. David Ross

Single Idea 5920

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

Full Idea

For most theories of value may be divided into those which treat it as a quality and those which treat it as a relation between that which has value and something else, usually a state of mind.

Gist of Idea

Value is held to be either a quality, or a relation (usually between a thing and a mind)

Source

W. David Ross (The Right and the Good [1930], §IV)

Book Reference

Ross,W.David: 'The Right and the Good' [OUP 1930], p.75


A Reaction

We might say that a leaf only has value to a tree (which has no mind). Presumably if value is a relation to a mind, it can be further reduced to being an object of desire, but this will give class A drugs a greater value than a beautiful deed.