Value

The concept of value, what things are good, how good they, and how they can be measured is what is studied by the field of axiology. The two concepts are the same, with any differences being merely nominal. Now, the concept of 'value' can mean lots of different things; does it study what is morally valuable, or what is aesthetically valuable, or what the value in life is? It technically covers all of these things, which will be briefly described. The question of what is morally valuable is of great concern, particularly because ethics is one of the most practical fields in philosophy and it would make a large difference depending on what is valued (e.g. should pleasure or duty should be valued more)? There is also a question of whether there is one sort of thing that is valuable (monism) or numerous things that can be held as valuable, whether as equally valuable or not (pluralism). And this debate goes into the field of aesthetics and the philosophy of art (both separate entries) as well when it examines what exactly is valuable to us in the beautiful and sublime. However, these discussions raise up the question of whether value is objective, subjective, or mixed - i.e. some valuable things are objective, while some are in the "eye of the beholder". Lastly, what is the value in life? As one of the most ironically asked questions of philosophers: "what is the meaning of [or in] life?", there have been many answers proposed, perhaps it is pleasure, religion, building a legacy, or laying down on the couch. What is valuable in your life? Note: Most philosophers throughout all time have discussed value - whether in the moral, aesthetic, religious, or personal sense - thus the individuals in the 'Key Figures' are chosen arbitrarily.