On 27 Jun 1996, Rol Fessenden wrote:
[snipped]
> Thus, for example, if I take the position that values do not really exist,
> and therefore, my actions do not need to be driven by them, then I am
> considerably freed in my dealings with other people. I can, for example,
> take the bottom-line perspective as the only one I need consder. I may
> take a long-term, bottom-line perspective, or a short-term one, but I can
> stop worrying about a host of other issues, and I can stop trying to be an
> example to anyone who may be looking for someone to emulate.
I would think, Rol, that your statement here is the best evidence for the
possibility that values "have to" exist if we are operating at any
remotely human level. What, for example, is the choice to take the
"bottom-line perspective" if it is not an example of a value in action?
Our ability to choose--if it does, in fact, exist--suggests to me the
existence of values. Otherwise upon what do we base the choices we make?
> If we all do this, then it appears that we are doomed to have the values
> of slugs or possibly bobcats or hyenas. While someone may well respond
> that too often our behavior does not even measure up to that of bobcats or
> hyenas, nevertheless, my question to all of you is do we want to set that
> as the standard, or do we have a vision of something better?
I don't think that the values we have--whether we are very conscious of
them or not--are related to the question of whether there _are_ values or
not. To rank those of humans as "better" than those of hyenas is more
evidence of values at work. I'd be willing to bet that bobcats and hyenas
would be agast at some of the values we humans exhibit if they could be
queried about them! (Now does that mean I value betting?? Please don't
carry this too far...)
> Furthermore, if we accept that our values -- our self-evident truths --
> are just part of the western-European culture, and perhaps artifacts of
> the way we were brought up, and there is no higher value worth struggling
> to attain, then it appears to me that a whole raft of totally
> reprehensible behavior will no longer be condemnable.
I'm not sure that this follows directly from the premis you are stating.
Why would values not be a part and parcel of our upbringing and our
culture--western-European or Oriental or Native--and still be related at
some deeper level as well. I have done some study of the major world
spiritual traditions and practices--one arena of values to be sure--and
find that there are amazing resonances between them all regarding what is
valued. True, these values are often mightily distorted or "transformed"
in the application, but I have not found as much "conflict" as I have
commonality among them at the espoused value level. Even to value
differently than these traditions recommend is still to "value" in some
form or another.
I think we acknowledge, create, or adopt values not so much in order to
condemn what we consider reprehensible, but in order to find a balance,
direction, focus, and meaning in what we do. And actually, as I think
about it, the very value of the effort could be heightened by the
uncertainty of the end toward which we strive. Whether we are manifesting
some universal intent in our valuing or creating it anew each day, we
still have the opportunity to live our vision in the world or to let it
lapse. The world will feel the outcome either way.
> The more I write about the consequences of the idea that there may be no
> values, the more worked up I am getting. If there are no values, then I
> will opt out of the human race. I think the existence of values is the
> only fundamentally new concept and reality that humans have to offer to
> the Earth.
The fact that we have the capacity to engage in such conversations about
values is undeniable. Whether or not they "exist" somehow apart from our
awareness of them and commitment to them is not so important to me. How
would I know for sure anyway? What I _do_ know is that I can choose to
live my life in consideration of the values I hold, with an intention to
act in accordance with them as closely as possible, and with the
willingness to acknowledge and learn from those times when, for whatever
reason, I miss the mark in my actions or find myself holding on to
"values" I no longer am willing to enact.
Your own valuing of openness, honesty, authenticity, and equity is
certainly part of what enriches my learning from this list. Thank you for
stimulating continued attention to this "valuable" practice for me.
Respectfully,
Tobin
--Tobin Quereau quereau@austin.cc.tx.us
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>