Intrinsic Values

The statement "I value" is an ethical axiom—it is the foundational principle underlying all human behavior.

Every action you take is driven by a value. A value is the fundamental reason for your choices. Reasoning itself is the process of weighing values against one another.

For instance, "The reason I choose Terminator over Jaws is because I value the future over the beach experience." This chain of reasoning can continue indefinitely, linking values to deeper values.

But can we truly explain the reason behind every action? 

To explore this, I propose the concept of Intrinsic Values: values that are not merely a means to an end but are ends in themselves.

These values are not immediately known to us. They are abstractions, derived from the interplay of numerous actions and choices. Discovering them requires introspection—questioning why you value what you do—until you reach the ultimate answer: "Because I value it intrinsically."

At first, you might identify many intrinsic values, or perhaps just a few. 

The next step in the process, one that will continue throughout your life, is to synthesize these values into broader, more encompassing categories. For example: "The commonality between valuing family and valuing friends is connection."

Finally, for these values to be practical, they must be ordered by importance, creating a hierarchy. The 'Intrinsic Value Hierarchy' is a self-sufficient ethical framework. It does not prescribe what you should value; it merely helps you understand what you already do. 

This framework does not dictate action but acknowledges that, by your nature, you are already pursuing values. The real question is not whether you should pursue your values, but how.

I encourage you to test this framework, to critically evaluate its utility in your life. I believe it is both practical and universally applicable—especially for human beings, who possess the unique ability to abstract and integrate values in the pursuit of living well.

If you read this line, please do me a favor and click here to answer one quick question.

Valuism is a life philosophy where you identify your intrinsic values—things you value for their own sake—and then work to effectively create more of these values in your life.

It emphasizes distinguishing between intrinsic and instrumental values, ensuring actions are aligned with what you truly value, and avoiding common pitfalls like pursuing others' values or getting sidetracked by habits and societal expectations.

Valuism offers a meaningful framework without requiring belief in objective moral truth.

https://www.spencergreenberg.com/2023/02/doing-what-you-value-as-a-way-of-life-an-introduction-to-valuism/