The Essentials of Formal Axiology

by Edwards, Rem B.

• ISBN13: 9780761852902
• ISBN10: 0761852905
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-09-28
• Publisher: UPA

Summary

This book explains and advances formal axiology as originally developed by Robert S. Hartman. Formal axiology identifies the general patterns involved in (1) the meaning of 'good' and other value concepts, in (2) what we value (value-objects), and in (3) how we value (valuations or evaluations). It explains the rational, practical, and affective aspects of evaluation and shows how to make value judgments more rationally and effectively. It distinguishes between intrinsic, extrinsic, and systemic values and evaluations, and discusses how and why they fall into a rational hierarchy of value. It demonstrates the intrinsic worth of unique conscious beings and develops an axiological ethics in the three value dimensions. It explores the search for a logical calculus of value and introduces applications of axiology in psychology, religion, aesthetics, and business. It is critical of Hartman's shortcomings but builds upon his strengths and extends his theory of values where incomplete.

Author Biography

Rem B. Edwards retired as Lindsay Young Professor of Philosophy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His Ph.D. in philosophy was from Emory University, he is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and was a Danforth Graduate Fellow. A charter member of the Robert S. Hartman Institute, Edwards is also the author of over twenty books and over eighty articles and reviews.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
The Form of the Good	p. 1
What "Good" Means	p. 2
Degrees of Goodness	p. 6
The Meaning of "Bad"	p. 7
Philosophical Exposition	p. 10
G. E. Moore and the Meaning of "Good"	p. 10
Hartman's Formal Definition of "Good": The Axiom of Axiology	p. 12
"Good" vs. "Value"	p. 15
Intensional and Extensional Properties	p. 16
Definitional and Expositional Properties	p. 17
"Better" and "Best"	p. 20
Comparing Apples, Oranges, and Devils	p. 22
"Good" and "Good for"	p. 24
What Things are Good and Better?	p. 27
Three Kinds of Good Things or Values	p. 28
Applying the Form of the Good to Good Things	p. 31
Systemically Good Things	p. 32
Extrinsically Good Things	p. 35
Intrinsically Good Things	p. 37
Ranking and Combining Good Things	p. 39
Ranking Good Things: The Hierarchy of Value	p. 40
Combining Good Things	p. 41
Philosophical Exposition	p. 43
Deriving the Three Dimensions of Value	p. 43
Justifying the Hierarchy of Value	p. 45
Uniqueness and Human Worth	p. 49
Uniqueness and Individual Worth	p. 56
Self-concepts and Individual Intrinsic Worth	p. 61
Infinities: The Second Formality	p. 67
Numbering the Value Dimensions	p. 68
Why Transfinite Math Will Not Work	p. 70
Hartman's Faulty "Proofs" of "The Infinite Value of Man"	p. 76
Refuting Hartman's Own Reply	p. 80
Axiology as a Future Science	p. 82
What is Real Science?	p. 83
Where Do We Go From Here?	p. 85
How We Value: Systemic, Extrinsic, and Intrinsic Valuation	p. 89
Conceptual or Rational Valuation	p. 90
Active or Dynamic Valuation	p. 90
Affective Valuation in Three Dimensions	p. 92
Affective Systemic Valuation	p. 95
Affective Extrinsic Valuation	p. 97
Affective Intrinsic Valuation	p. 102
Complete Intrinsic Valuation	p. 105
Combining Values and Valuations	p. 107
Systemically Evaluating Everything in All Dimensions	p. 110
Applying Systemic Concepts in Three Dimensions	p. 110
Responding Disinterestedly or Dispassionately in Three Dimensions	p. 116
Extrinsically Evaluating Everything in All Dimensions	p. 117
Applying Extrinsic Concepts in Three Dimensions	p. 117
Responding with Practical Feelings in Three Dimensions	p. 120
Intrinsically Evaluating Everything in Three Dimensions	p. 121
Applying Intrinsic Concepts in Three Dimensions	p. 121
Responding with Intrinsic Feelings in Three Dimensions	p. 125
Living Abundantly	p. 129
Ethics and Other Applications	p. 131
Hartman's Understanding of "Ethics"	p. 132
The Meaning of "Ought"	p. 134
Applying Intrinsic Concepts to Unique Persons	p. 135
Self-concepts and Time	p. 136
Serewed-up Self Concepts	p. 139
Thinking Ethically about Others	p. 141
Acting Upon Self and Others as Unique Persons	p. 143
Moral Rights	p. 145
Moral Rules, Exceptions, Conflicts, and Supererogation	p. 148
The Value of Moral Rules	p. 148
Making Exceptions to Moral Rules	p. 149
Conflicting Moral Rules	p. 152
Supererogation: Going Beyond the Call of Duty	p. 152
Ethics in Three Dimensions	p. 155
Moral and Non-moral Virtues	p. 156
Moral Virtues, Motives, and Attitudes	p. 165
Moral Absolutes	p. 168
Aesthetics, Religion, Psychology, and Other Applications	p. 171
Axiology and Aesthetics	p. 172
Axiology and Religion	p. 173
Axiology and Psychology	p. 174
Developing an Axiological Calculus	p. 175
Sports Axiology	p. 176
Future Applications	p. 176
Appendix: Axiological Glossary	p. 177
Works Cited	p. 183
Index	p. 187
About the Author	p. 193
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