 |
Values, the Individual and Everyday Life
Values are created and (or) obtained. They are of importance only to the individual. “Society or the collective” can’t possess values because it doesn’t exist as an individual entity. All it is the combination of its individuals—and only the individuals possess the values.
The Values of the Benefactors of Mankind
Producers, entrepreneurs and creative thinkers are the benefactors of mankind. They produce values through rational and self-directed effort— that unfortunately the other members of “society” often take for granted. Imagine a world without progress—a barbarian world of poverty—barely surviving because great people like Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci, Aristotle, Galileo and others had never existed—or had been prevented from offering their gifts of advancement and achievement. Often, narrow-minded, ignorant people attempt to stand in the way of these outstanding individuals.
In the social sciences, we have been blessed with innovative thinkers such as Ludwig von Mises, Ayn Rand and Murray Rothbard. Tragically, they were ostracized during their lifetime. The United States of America is reeling towards social and economic disaster. Fortunately, we have the enlightened teachings of these great masters to help lead us to the social system of unhampered capitalism—where liberty, freedom and property rights will prevail.
The Destroyer of Values
For most the values of everyday life make it all worthwhile. Most people want others to leave them alone, so they have the freedom to accomplish their goals, fantasies and desires. Unfortunately they don’t realize that government interventionism not only can’t help them achieve their highest values—but is actually a destroyer them. Governments are the source of most of the miseries in the world. Once they understood that the institute of government can only prevent them from accomplishing their values—they would become enlightened. They would conclude that “The Libertarian Way” is the way.
The anti-life philosophy of altruism teaches that other people’s values are of the utmost importance. The selfish individual is supposed to sacrifice what he values to some undefined entity called the state, the collective, the church, society or whatever. He never stops to consider that this undefined entity doesn’t exist—and that he is really sacrificing his life and values to the predators that preach this nonsense.
The Absolute Moralist is the great predator who is behind the destructive philosophy of selflessness, sacrifice and self-denial. All the economic chaos, wars, misery, poverty and bloodshed have been his doing. The role of altruist is one of his favorite parts. If he can convince people to sell their highest values wholesale—something he is shockingly successful at—he has them lock, stock and barrel.
Anti-drug crusader, health police, environmentalist, prohibitionist, politician, etc. are some of his other favorite roles.
The Values of Everyday Life
Some of the values an individual obtains become memories for the future. They may not be earth-shattering—in fact, they may seem rather mundane—but they mean everything to the individual who experiences them.
His parents will forever cherish the first step or the first word a child speaks. I’m sure many remember a cold, rainy fall day when their child stepped on a school bus and absent-mindedly waved goodbye as it drove away.
The first time you kissed a member of the opposite sex is a never forgotten experience. You will always cherish the memory of your heart beating rapidly and your face heating up from the excitement.
The thrill of your first lovemaking experience is a memory for all time. It probably wasn’t the best sex you ever had—but it will always be with you.
Your first birthday party, high school graduation day, the day your team won the championship, the automobile you bought after you received your driver’s license, the day you moved out of your parent’s house into an apartment, your wedding day and the first paycheck you received from productive work are important values that you will never forget.
There are bittersweet memories that are valued. You may remember a person you had a crush on—a case of unrequited love. You can still feel the intense emotions when you were around this person. Occasionally you wonder if there might have been a way you could have made the relationship happen.
The baseball, football or basketball team you cheered on may have lost the championship game, but you still have memories of a great season.
Conclusion
Values are to be created and (or) obtained by the individual. Sometimes people speak about the values of a group such as a country or a civilization. The fallacy of this is that the members of the same group may have different or conflicting values—and that some of its members may reject the prominent values held by most of the group.
Values have meaning only when they are possessed by the solitary individual He can share or trade them with others in value for value relationships—but they are still exclusively of the person who owns them.
Home  Articles
|
|
|
 |
