The Dependence of Value on Humanity

Abstract

This chapter discusses socially dependent attributes by providing an example of appreciating two different buildings. It comments on the idea of philosophising about value as it can perhaps be applied to a number of terms including valuable objects like operas and flowers, and the properties of virtue such as inventiveness and symmetry in architecture can be deemed as different values. It also considers object existence and its correlation to pluralist views with reference from Plato and Aristotle’s ‘Metaphysics’. It presents normative ideas and examines Immanuel Kant’s argument that the fundamental characteristic of humanity is the power to set ends. In relation to the author’s socially dependent values, this chapter argues that recognising cultural values is not a requirement in order to be appreciated and concludes that humanity is the ultimate source of value.