Abstract

A new theory of value, founded on the claim that value itself is an ever-changing myth of life, offers the possibility for grounding multiple systems of value. Its perspective is of particular significance to our modern life world in which the individual can no longer fail to take responsibility for the creations which have been hers all along. This must be done before unlimited value choice possibilities can come fully into their own, requiring ever greater responsibility on the part of the creating individual. ;The contention and significance of my proposed theory of value is that all value is created by the individual. My theory, further, posits the necessity for the development of tools which will enable individuals to create values of a non-detrimental nature. ;The main elements of my proposed theory of value are: life=open-ended totality=myth. consciousness, and logic, to a somewhat lesser degree. Life is that from which values are chosen; life is created by those very values which are chosen. By equating life with open-ended totality, the choice of a system of value other than that of the either/or type is emphasized. The equating of life with myth indicates that life is a creation, a story. Myth and consciousness are bound together. Consciousness, in turn, constitutes that process which makes possible the creation of an adequate myth. The greater the extent to which an individual's consciousness is developed; the more complex, rich, and varied will be that person's creation of life. Life, therefore, is the myth of consciousness. Logic can be viewed as serving to formalize the value choices made accessible by the process of consciousness. Absolute truth and absolute falsity will be only two value choice possibilities for the individual, rather than the only choices. ;I understand "theory of value" as that which people implicitly or explicitly employ to choose priorities for their lives. Most theories of value exhibit serious limitations insofar as they are centered around, and give major emphasis to, the search for values that are absolute. This search has led to what I call "either/or" systems of value, systems which set up irreconcilable dichotomies. These systems show their inadequacies whenever they prove to be detrimental to the personal relationships of individuals and to society as a whole. Religion has been the ruling influence directing people to this type of theory of value. Essentially, such value systems represent a desire on the part of the individual to escape the explicit responsibility of creating value. ;The context within which this concern is to be formulated has as its major components the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, the observations of Julian Jaynes and, to a certain extent, my work in the field of logic. These will serve as the principal tools for an exegesis. ;The method used to accomplish the objective set forth will maintain an order while allowing chaos to have an equal bearing on the outcome. The dissertation's major contribution will consist in an interweaving of the two elements, order and chaos, into a coherent theory of value. ;The primary concern of this dissertation is to advance an adequate theory of value. Such a theory is needed if the human species, when its escape to religion proves futile, is to progress beyond an imminent nihilistic existence