Value... and What Follows

This fresh and engaging work by noted philosopher Joel Kupperman centerson "value"--in the sense of what is worth having or worthy being in life.Kupperman looks first at how judgments of values manifest themselves, whetherthere can be evidence for them, and whether a realistic account is appropriate.Kupperman then goes on to examine the relations between judgments of value andthose of what it is best to do, and whether value has any proper role in socialpolicy. Kupperman rejects the notion that there is any one primary value, andargues instead for a pluralistic understanding of value. He contends that valuemust be viewed as strongly contextual; the value of a particular set ofexperiences in one's life can depend heavily on how they fit in or providecontrast with other elements.

Joel Kupperman is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Connecticut.