Phenomenology of Values and Valuing

Although a key aspect of the phenomenological movement is its contribution to value theory (axiology) and value perception (almost all the major figures devoted a great part of their labors to these topics), there has been relatively little attention paid to these themes. This volume in part makes up for this lacuna by being the first anthology on value-theory in the phenomenological movement. It indicates the scope of the issues by discussing, e.g., the distinctive acts of valuing, openness to value, the objectivity of values, the summation and combination of values, the deconstruction of values, the value of absence, and the value of nature. It also contains discussions of most of the major representative figures not only in their own right but also in relationship to one another: Von Ehrenfels, Brentano, Scheler, Hartmann, Husserl, Heidegger, Schutz, and Derrida.

Introduction: Value-Theory and Phenomenology.- 1. The Concept of Objective Value.- 2. Image and Artistic Value.- 3. Problems of the Value of Nature in Phenomenological Perspective or What to do About Snakes in the Grass.- 4. The Value of Absence.- 5. The Part Played by Value in the Modification of Open into Attractive Possibilities.- 6. The Notion of Value in Christian von Ehrenfels.- 7. Values, Reasons for Actions and Reflexivity.- 8. Values as Ontological Difference.- 9. Scheler’s Theory of Values Reconsidered.- 10. Husserl’s Phenomenology of Willing.- 11. The Summum Bonum and Value-Wholes: Aspects of a Husserlian Axiology and Theology.- 12. A Bibliography of Axiology and Phenomenology.- Notes on Contributors.- Index of Names.- Index of Topics.