Are there any absolute values?

Question

Relativsim is nothing new. The ancient Greek philospher Heraclitus said, "No one ever steps into the same river twice, for fresh waters are ever upon him." This indicates the constant change that permeates our existnece. But if everything is in flux (changing), then nothing stays the same. All is relative to the way things are at the moment. How can any value be absolute?

Answer 1

Those values which are derived from observing that human beings are born free and equal are absolute.
Life for those who don't take the life of others, liberty for those who don't take liberty or life from others, and pursuit of happiness for those who don't stop others from being happy, or take liberty or life from others.
If humanity ever evolves castes, this will be different: Read some Locke.

Answer 2

Very good point. There are no inherent human values, other than the base "survival" values - food, shelter/safety, sex/children and so forth. All animals share these desires, and the drive to attain these things can be called "values", perhaps.
But all the other valuations - good/bad, edible/garbage, legal/illegal, moral/immoral and so forth - are social artifacts and subject to change.
Consider, up until a century or so ago (and more recently in parts of the South), marriage among close relatives was moral. It was even encouraged as a way of conserving and concentrating the wealth of an extended family. Nowadays, marriage between first cousins is illegal in most parts of this country, anyway. Shifting values.
So, to answer your ultimate question, I would say Yes, there are absolute values relating ONLY to those things that are directly survival related. All other values are subject to change as the society evolves.

Answer 3

You really answered your own question. A value cannot be absolute, but where people are concerned our value system does not necessarily mean they will ever change. While things around us change and people's values change with it, people are so caught up with their own values that they dont see the change. Their mind is not open to new experiences and they will hang onto their own values even when there is proof their values may not necessarily be correct. Values, dont necessarily have to be true, it is a person's belief system that determines their values. In the real world and the way you explained things values can never be absolute. But in the eyes of a lot of religious people their values will never be changed. A lot are brainwashed to believe something is absolute...so their values are absolute and will never be changed.

Answer 4

If you believe that nothing is absolute, you could probably rationalize an armed robbery as long as the victim was rich and the perpetrator was poor.

You quote, "No one ever steps into the same river twice", I submit he will come out wet both times...

This can turn into an exercise in hair splitting, and it can happen very quickly. For example: When you exit the ocean wet do you lower the sea level? YES. Is it perceptible? NO. Is it even measurable? NO.

Answer 5

Yes it is an old argument but, it seems that relativity has it's limits--case in point---A plane is sitting on the runway full of Relativists---The pilot announces over the intercom that they will be taking off shortly although the grounds crew tells him they do not have enough fuel to make it to the next airstrip. At that point the Relativists realize there just might be some absolute truth in this world and they flock off of the airplane. If that is absolute truth there just might be more hmmmm....

Answer 6

No specific form is absolute (changes with society, etc.) but there is an absolute that can be applied to changing forms: if you know something causes suffering in others and/or yourself, don't do it. The specific things will change in different societies and with different people, of course (e.g. some couples are ok with having extramarital relationships, others would suffer from this arrangement, etc.)

Answer 7

Let me start with this;"Do not put your trust in nobles,nor in the son
of earthling man,to whom no salvation belongs,"his spirit goes out",
he goes back to his ground;in that day his thoughts do perish."
Ps.146:3,4-the reason I quote that scripture is because you quote
an ancient greek philospher...and as another answer'er said;there
is one value and constant,and that is God and his word the Bible.
The Bible also points out another fact that has proven so very true
down through the centurys.."I well know,O Jehovah,that to earth-
man his way does not belong.It does not belong to man who is
walking even to direct his step."So is it really beneficial to live
and breath the words on human philosphers?

Answer 8

If there are not absolutes, then there is nothing to believe in, nothing to live for. No rules to live by. Are we really here?

Nonsense......

God is the absolute. He is the same today as He was yesterday.

Answer 9

Although you speak of values I can only think of a few things that aren't different based on their situation. These are the speed of light which is the same for all observers regardless of their inertial frame of reference, an pi.

Answer 10

I would say their are absolute values but they have to do with intent instead of specific rules or actions.

So there is 'value' in making sure your actions are positive, but there is no inherent value in any particular action.

Almost any action can *seem* to have value, but the *mental motivation* is the only place you can truly measure that value.

That was tiring. ;-)