Value theory

Abstract

The term “value theory” is used in at least threedifferent ways in philosophy. In its broadest sense, “valuetheory” is a catch-all label used to encompass all branches ofmoral philosophy, social and political philosophy, aesthetics, andsometimes feminist philosophy and the philosophy of religion —whatever areas of philosophy are deemed to encompass some“evaluative” aspect. In its narrowest sense, “valuetheory” is used for a relatively narrow area of normativeethical theory particularly, but not exclusively, of concern toconsequentialists. In this narrow sense, “value theory” isroughly synonymous with “axiology”. Axiology can bethought of as primarily concerned with classifying what things aregood, and how good they are. For instance, a traditional question ofaxiology concerns whether the objects of value are subjectivepsychological states, or objective states of the world.