6.1 Personal Values

Version 1.3 December 2022           (Previous Version)

This Chapter discusses the core value choices we make based on our analyses in Parts 1 to 5.  There are no gods forcing us to choose one way or the other. If the universe is not deterministic, no laws of nature force our choices either.  On what grounds do we choose how to live?  

If our choices are not to be arbitrary, we must choose on the basis of reasonable beliefs about the options available.  We choose the options that are most likely to provide the outcomes we hope for.  But at best the consequences of our choices are uncertain. 

We have dismissed simplistic religious rules.  Modern pastoral carers and counsellors are more sophisticated, and guide their clients to make sensible choices.  We can do the same to ourselves.  Motivations include our enlightened self-interest and social stability (which promotes peace and prosperity for ourselves and those we care about), which is essentially prudent or pragmatic.  We may also choose based on a greater degree of sympathy, compassion or love than self-interest requires.

We base our choices on our commitments to:

a)     Truth and Diversity: uncertain but coherent and consistent (as per Chapter 1.1 Epistemology);

b)     Reality: the shared, public reality of common sense (as per Chapter 1.2 Metaphysics);

c)     Life: as opposed to death or the afterlife (as described in Chapter 1.3 Theology);

d)     Love, Responsibility and Equality: what is “goodâ€� (as described in Chapter 1.5 Ethics);

e)     Beauty: what evokes positive emotions (as described in Chapter 1.6 Aesthetics); and

f)      Hope: our choice to act as though things can get better (as described in Part 3 History).

We also apply the other derived, effecting and ancillary values we have discerned in Parts 2 to 5.

As we begin to more consciously follow these guidelines, what appears to be a complex set of considerations often becomes simplified, so that we can address common situations more easily.  When we are really trying to do the right thing we must forgive ourselves if we sometimes fail.

We propose to look at personal values under the following headings:

1. Confidence in Doubt:	If everything we know is uncertain, how much faith can we have in our values?
2. Range of Values:	What areas of life involve value choices?	Is it reasonable to break down this area into these topics at this level? Click on feedback, or add a comment below, to tell us if you agree or disagree, or suggest improvements.
3. Living Complexity:	Can we handle conflicts between values?
4. Controversial Issues:	Can our core values work in key issues?
5. PseudoLegal Crimes:	What about legalised theft etc?
6. Attitude & Character:	How do we judge a person?
7. Reviewing Values:	Are these values fixed for all time?

As stated in the chapter overview, this is the current summary of our conclusions in this area:

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