Philosophy 8401y

Presented by: Mubeshera Tufail

The word “Axiology” is derived from two Greek roots „Axios‟

Worth or Value

„Logos‟

Logic or Theory

(Arora, 2010)

 Axiology is the branch of philosophy

dealing with quality or value (Rosenthal,1967). Axiology is the branch of philosophy that studies judgments about values including both of ethics and aesthetics (Chopra, 2005).

•The term “Axiology” was first used in the early 20th century by Paul Lapie and E. Von Hartmann (Arora,2010). • The search for a science of value originated with early Greek philosophers in 5th and 6th centuries B.C.

•During medieval times, it was argued for the division of religious(faith, hope and love) and natural values i.e., wisdom, courage, temperance and justice (identified by Plato). •The 20th century saw the rise of Pragmatism. (Foss & Littlejohn,2009)

Gradually the modern view of morality emerged i.e., Values are regarded as tools for processing of ideas and things (Foss & Littlejohn,2009)

 Values are the preferences made on the basis

of what we consider „good‟ in various fields of life (Lobo, 1974).  Value may be some sort of existent with a particular property or properties, which can be discussed in of its nature and its relationship to other existents (Bowyer,1970).

Value is the property of material object and phenomenon of social consciousness which characterize its importance to society, to a class or a man (Rosenthal & Yudin, 1967).

 Values may be subjective (personal) or

objective (impersonal).  Values may be changing or constant. (Kneller,1971)

There are seven types of values which are as follows: • Health, Bodily, Recreational • Economic Values • Social values • Moral Values • Aesthetic Values • Intellectual values • Religious Values (Lobo, 1974)

 Idealists‟ View

 Realists' View  Pragmatist‟s View (Kneller,1971)

 Experimentalists Objects acquires value after choosing.  Emotivists Individuals will decide which value should be adopted?  Objectivists Values are in objects or in relation among objects. (Lobo, 1974)

Axiology

Ethics

Aesthetics (Arora,2010)

 Ethics studies values in the realm of human conduct (Kneller,1971).  “Ethics evaluates human habits, character and voluntary determination and their propriety” (Singh &Nath, 2008).

It deals with such questions as: (a)What is good for all men? (b)How one should behave? (c)What is right? (d)What is morally wrong?

Aesthetics studies values in the realm of beauty (Kneller,1971).  Aesthetics involves the study of art and experience of beauty (Sharma,2010).

Aesthetic values are likely to be personal and subjective (Kneller,1971). It discusses such questions: (a) what is beauty? (b) which art should be appraised? (c) What is the importance of art in human life?

•Axiology can guide human life, individual as well as social, secular as well as nonsecular, in the right direction. •Man searches for truth, praises beautiful and attempts good. Axiology serve as a guide for this purpose. (Nigal,1986)

The main concern of religion is the relationship between God and man, and between man and man.  Religion emphasizes self-control and conservation of values i.e., individual, social, spiritual values. (Nigal,1986)

•Science can provide us with means only, it can never give about ends. •It is the philosophy of values which helps us in deciding as to how and for what purpose these means should be utilized. (Nigal, 1986)

Each society has its own set of values. All the individuals should adopt those values.

Values are everywhere in education.  By using values a. b. c.

Teachers evaluate Student. Students Evaluate Teachers. Society and Educators evaluate each other. (Kneller,1971)

“Axiological thinking” or “thinking on values” is unavoidable and necessary.

• We are busy in “axiological thinking” or “thinking on value” when we refer to such notions as: • “Success” and “Failure” • “Progress” and “ Regress” • “Better” and “Worse” • “More efficient” and “less efficient” • “Needed” and “Not Needed” • “More important” and “Less Important” (Skowronski,2009)

We all possess values that guide our thoughts, actions and behaviors in every aspect and field of life i.e., personal, social, intellectual and emotional. We are involved in axiological thinking in every moment, intentionally or unintentionally.

 Arora,N.(2010). Educational Philosophy. Delhi: Saurabh Publishing House. Bowyer,Carlton H.(1970).Philosophical Perspectives for Education.USA:Scott, Foresman and Company. Chopra,R.(2005).Academic Dictionary of Philosophy.Delhi:Isha Books. Ebert,E.S. & Culyer,R.C.(2011).School: An Introduction to Education.USA:Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Foss,K.A.& Littlejohn,S.W .(2009).Encyclopedia of Communication Theory. USA:SAGE Publications,Inc.

Kneller,George F.(1971).Introduction to Philosophy of Education. USA:John Wiley & Sons,Inc.  Lobo,A.T.(1974).Educational Ideas and Their Impact.Karachi:Rotti Press. Nath,R. & Singh,Y.K.(2008). Education in Emerging Indian Society. New Delhi: APH Publishing Corporation. Nigal, S.G.(1986).Axiological Approach to Vedas. New Delhi: Northern Book Centre. Skowronski,K.P.(2009).Values and Powers: Re-reading the Philosophical Tradition of American Pragmatism. Rodopi:New York.

Sharma,A.P.(2010).Indian and Western Philosophy.New Delhi: Unicorn Books.