Yes -- Adilbrand Noblesword's Hall of Warriors

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Date Posted: 22:26:47 04/15/04 Thu
Author: stu
Subject: Yes
In reply to: mvd 's message, "Re: The formation of culture" on 15:30:56 04/15/04 Thu

Nietzche called man "the valuator." Nothing else in nature can truly value. Some may argue that some animals value, but I distinguish between those qualities that belong to instinct, and those that belong to reason. An animal desires food when it is hungry; but a human can actually value the concept of food. It is an important distinction, for it shows that all significance is a human significance. This is where I believe ethics really begins. Nothing has inherent value, but, as a sentient being, any human can value his/her own life. To me, this is more than simply a survival instinct, common to all forms of life, but rather a concious valuation of self. If this were not the case, humans would not have the opposite choice, to not value themselves, which, of course, they do. A human can decide to end his/her life.

Now, whether or not any given person will respect the valuation of another is different matter. I believe this depends on an individual's capacity for empathy, which is the result of many factors. I could begin a list - up-bringing, genetics (?), experience/exposure, societal restrictions or lack thereof...

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