Theory of Valuation - Volumes 1-2 - Foundations of the Unity of Science - Issue 4

Sep 29, 2026

“Theory of Valuation” investigates how valuation theory grew in importance amid changing scientific attitudes and disputes over what values are and which facts valuation theory can apply to. It contrasts natural science’s matter-of-fact propositions with human conduct shaped by estimates of value, discusses the historical elimination of ends from nonhuman phenomena, and explains why value became a distinct problem. It outlines competing views ranging from values as emotional ejaculations to rational standardized principles.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages76

Reading Time1 h 57 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

Its Problems

Value-Expression as Ejaculatory

Valuation as Liking and Disliking

Propositions of Appraisal

Ends and Values

The Continuum of Ends-Means

Theory of Valuation as Outline of a Program

Valuation and the Conditions of Social Theory

Selected Bibliography

| INTERNATIONAL ENCYCLOPEDIA of UNIFIED SCIENCE
Theory
of
Valuation
By
John Dewey
voLUMES I AND 11·FOUND ATIONS OF THE UNITY OF SCIENCE
VOLUME II·NUMBER 4 | | --- | NIELs BoHREGon BRUNSWIKt J.CLAYJoHN DEWEYfFEDERIGo ENRIQUESHERBERT FEIGLCLARK L.HULL十 WALDEMAR KAEMPFFERTVICTOR F.LENZENJAN LUKASIEWICZWILLIAM M.MALISOFFTDeceased International Encyclopedia ofUnified Science Editor-in-chief Otto NeurathfAssociate Editors Rudolf Carnap Charles Morris Foundations of the Unity of Science(Volumes I-Il of the Encyclopedia) Committee of Organization RuDOLF CARNAPCHARLES W.MoRRISPHILIPP FRANKOTTO NEURATHfJoERGEN JoERGENSENLoUIS RoUGIER Advisory Committee R.VoN MISESt G.MANNOURYERNEST NAGELARNE NESS 1 HANs REICHENBACHfABEL REY BERTRAND RuSSELL L.SUSAN STEBBINGtALFRED TARSKIEDWARD C.ToLMANfJoSEPH H.WooDGER THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGo PRESs,CHICAGo 37The University of Toronto Press,Toronto 5,Canada Copyright 1939 by THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGo.Allrights reserved.Published 1939.Twelfth Impression 1962 Contents: PAGE I.ITs PROBLEMS. .. .. ... 1 II.VALUE-ExPRESSION AS EJACULATORY. . . . 6 III.VALUATION AS LIKING AND DISLIKING . . .. 13 IV.PROPOSITIONS OF APPRAISAL . . . . 19 V.ENDS AND VALUES . . . . . ... . 33 VI.THE CoNTINUUM OF ENDs-MEANS. . . . . 40 VII.THEORY OF VALUATION AS OUTLINE OF A PROGRAM 51 VIII.VALUATION AND THE CoNDITIONS OF SoCIALTHEORY . ... . . 57 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY . Vol.1,No.4 # Theory of Valuation John Dewey ## 1.Its Problems A skeptically inclined person viewing the present state of thediscussion of valuing and values might find reason for conclud-ing that a great ado is being made about very little,possiblyabout nothing at all.For the existing state of discussion showsnot only that there is a great difference of opinion about theproper theoretical interpretation to be put upon facts,whichmight be a healthy sign of progress,but also that there is greatdisagreement as to what the facts are to which theory applies,and indeed whether there are any facts to which a theory ofvalue can apply.For a survey of the current literature of thesubject discloses that views on the subject range from the be-lief,at one extreme,that so-called"values"are but emotionalepithets or mere ejaculations,to the belief,at the other extreme,that a priori necessary standardized,rational values are theprinciples upon which art,science,and morals depend for theirvalidity.And between these two conceptions lies a number ofintermediate views.The same survey will also disclose that dis-cussion of the subject of "values"is profoundly affected by epis-temological theories about idealism and realism and by meta-physical theories regarding the"subjective”and the “objec-tive.” Given a situation of this sort,it is not easy to find a starting-point which is not compromised in advance.For what seems onthe surface to be a proper starting-point may in fact be simplythe conclusion of some prior epistemological or metaphysicaltheory.Perhaps it is safest to begin by asking how it is thatthe problem of valuation-theory has come to bulk so largely inrecent discussions.Have there been any factors in intellectual Vol.II,No.4 1 # Theory of Valuation history which have produced such marked changes in scientificattitudes and conceptions as to throw the problem into relief? When one looks at the problem of valuation in this context,one is at once struck by the fact that the sciences of astronomy,physics,chemistry,etc.,do not contain expressions that by anystretch of the imagination can be regarded as standing forvalue-facts or conceptions.But,on the other hand,all de-liberate,all planned human conduct,personal and collective,seems to be influenced,if not controlled,by estimates of valueor worth of ends to be attained.Good sense in practical affairsis generally identified with a sense of relative values.This con-trast between

FAQs

What is the starting concern Dewey raises about valuation theory?

A skeptical reader observes that current discussions show major disagreement about interpretations, about what facts are relevant, and even about whether any value-theory facts exist.

How does Dewey contrast natural science with valuation in human affairs?

Natural sciences lack expressions representing value-facts, while planned human conduct appears influenced or controlled by estimates of value and relative worth.

Why did the problem of valuation become separate historically?

After teleological considerations were eliminated from natural sciences, including the sciences of physiology and biology, value did not vanish entirely but emerged as a distinct problem.

Sep 29, 2026

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