This book brings together writings that critically look at and try to move forward the formal theory of value that Robert S. Hartman spent his career researching and publishing about. Hartman’s axiology (study of value and worth) was groundbreaking in how it used logic and math like set theory and relationships to represent values and ranking systems. But over time, as other scholars engaged with his ideas, questions and issues that still needed solving emerged.
Recommended for: Intermediate to advanced readers with an interest in philosophy, ethics, and the foundations of value theory. This book presents critiques and responses to the formal theory of values developed by Robert S. Hartman, providing an in-depth exploration of this complex and technical subject matter. Readers with a background in formal logic, mathematics, or philosophy will likely find the most value in this work, as it delves into the mathematical and conceptual underpinnings of Hartman’s axiology.
You will:
- Gain a deep understanding of the formal theory of values developed by Robert S. Hartman, known as formal axiology
- Explore critiques of formal axiology from philosophers and logicians such as Hector Neri Castañeda, William Eckhardt, Robert Brumbaugh, and others
- Learn about Hartman’s detailed responses to these critiques, which seek to further develop and defend the foundations of formal axiology
- Investigate contemporary critiques and attempts to improve upon the formal value calculus, including work by Rem B. Edwards, Frank G. Forrest, and Mark A. Moore
- Develop a nuanced appreciation for the challenges and open questions that remain in formalizing a comprehensive theory of values
Detailed overview
Published with support from the Robert S. Hartman Institute, this volume gathers different critiques – some published while Hartman was alive and some more recent takes and it also includes Hartman’s replies to some early critics and unfinished work responding to later commentators. By putting together this archive stuff along with new analyses the book aims to keep enabling academics to keep examining Hartman’s important yet complicated contributions.
Part I revisits Hartmans defenses against criticism from thinkers like Hector-Neri Castaneda and Rem Edwards. It presents previously unpublished rebuttals to Robert E. Carter and others evaluating axiology from various perspectives. These back-and-forth from when Hartman was active set up initial viewpoints within formative debates.
Part II switches to more current additions building on axiological thought. Rem Edwards outlines serious unsolved problems about how formal axiology connects up with ethics demands. Frank Forrest then shows how set theory constructs could offer solutions when adapted from Hartman and Forrest’s previous collaborations. Mark Moore identifies shortcomings in this calculus, proposing a quantum-based alternative model.
The sections have writers going into Hartman’s main ideas about value and rank. They question the assumptions and come up with new formal methods for open questions. The questions aren’t trying to attack his ideas but to make formal axiology better, which pushes Hartman to clarify and expand the ideas more. So the volume helps refine the formal value philosophy going forward. It’s useful for researchers in different fields working on how to logically think about, compare and rank meaningful parts of human experience. By showing how the field has grown since Hartman and people still analyzing critically the book deepens how we understand the still developing framework.
Citation
Edwards, R. B. (Ed.). (1995). Formal Axiology and Its Critics. Value Inquiry Book Series, 33. Hartman Institute Axiology Studies, 33. Brill. https://brill.com/display/title/31318
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