Against Prescriptions. Why Values?

The chapter titled “Against Prescriptions: Why Values?” explores the perplexing question of why humans need and use values, even though values themselves are inherently ambiguous and lacking in concrete existence. The chapter delves into the fluid nature of values, highlighting their adaptability and flexibility to meet the diverse and evolving needs of individuals and societies. Drawing parallels between values and money, the author contends that the emergence of values has been pivotal in shaping modern societies, comparable to the transformative impact of coinage. The chapter explores how values serve as functional equivalents of money, allowing for the comparison and exchange of perspectives and ways of life. It also discusses the democratizing and individualizing effects of values, which challenge traditional hierarchies and domains. Ultimately, the chapter presents values as imaginative and fictive entities that provide meaning and guidance in a world characterized by uncertainty and change, advocating for a thoughtful and nuanced approach to understanding and utilizing values in modern societies.