ON VALUING

When talking about valuing we have in mind some objects which we value, appreciate, respect and regard highly. So we respect what we value. We can say valuing is some kind of relation because there are a person, valued objects and a relation "valuing" between these things. In general form, that is, "x value(s) y".

It is, of course, banal to tell that we value our money, cars, a house, clothes, food, children, a spouse, lovers, friends, work etc. It is as banal to notice different people value different things. Most of us value beautiful material goods but what we regard as beautiful varies.

But a valuing person and a valued object can be one and the same: a person x values him or herself. We, that is, care about ourselves. However, most of people care about their appearance, own body, faces: looking after one's looks is very important in Western democracies. How do you know that?, someone asks. By watching humans' behavior in cities. By observing, my friend. And what are we seeing? We are seeing different actions: they take a shower, brush their teeth, take exercise, buy new clothes, go to the hairdresser. "I don't go out without make-up", many women exclaim.

The valued objects, however, aren't always concrete stuff but immaterial. The abstract objects valued by persons can be love and goodness, a poetry or a play of Shakespeare, theorems of logic and mathematics, values like Rights and Liberties, traditions, some lifestyle being religious or not, a country and subcultures etc. For instance, the idea of nationalism is powerful but it is clear that ideas are not physical moving bodies such as rocks.

Yet, what is this relation "valuing"? Valuing is wanting to maintain or keeping up something. It is caring about and caring for somebody. If one maintains friendship, one respects friendship.

Valuing is also not wanting to part from somebody. If we really value our car we don't want that somebody touch it or take it. The problem is that other persons don't necessarily value relationship with us or care about us. Cars haven't own will and interests. So cars don't leave us but other persons may want to do so. Therefore, valuing is a personal mind's state being grounded on some belief-system. And it matters whether valued objects are lifeless material things, other person or a relationship, or an abstract object.

Finally the most important thing. Everybody wants to be respected. Sometimes. Everybody wants to get respect for his or her activities. From somebody and sometimes.