28 May 2008
Esteem replies to hierarchy of values, part 1
Posted by Cecilia under: Philosophy .
We live in a world of hierarchical values . A hierarchy of values can also be called a gradations of values. One thing is worth more than something else. One person is worth more than the other. We’ve known this since our childhood.
The hierarchy of values is based on two important points: comparison and competition. Today I’ll address comparisons. Comparing people with each other is the basis for a hierarchy of values. I don’t need to mention what kind of feelings comparisons impose on us. We internalize comparing so much that we often make no step in our life without comparing. We compare ourselves with others and we are also compared unceasingly.
Who among us doesn’t recognize our society in this picture? Who recognizes himself in this picture?
The society of esteem knows no hierarchy of values, it knows esteem. There is no comparison among people. On which basis do we compare ourselves? Each of us is unique and incomparable in the truest sense of the word. Being compared at an unequal level creates injustice of which we try to compensate incessantly.
As an example, let’s compare the incomparable: An apple is more round than that pear. An “apple” with high self-esteem simply shrugs, because this comparison makes no sense. How about another example? A math student is more lazy than another. A pupil with low self-esteem feels that something isn’t right, but he cannot specify it. In the society of esteem he could say: I’m not lazy, I’m slow in thinking but I research thoroughly. Or he could say: I’m not lazy, I’m more of an artist and not a mathematician.
The society of esteem answers the hierarchy of values with esteem - equally high esteem for everybody. Comparisons are not made in order to produce a gradation of values. Everybody receives equally high esteem because everybody is equally precious.
This is the point in which the two social structures don’t meet each other: In the hierarchy of values we all are equal according to our achievements that’s why we are comparable. In the society of esteem we all are equally esteemed and unequal in our achievements. With regard to achievements and personality we are incomparable, matchless.
This is one of the answers of the society of esteem toward hierarchy of values.
2 Comments so far...
Today in Sikantis - May 28, 2008 « Sikantis Says:
28 May 2008 at 1:56 pm.
[...] of Esteem - Esteem replies to hierarchy of values, part 1 Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Today in Sikantis - May 16, 2008Expanding Into the [...]
Society of Esteem » Alternative money system: Living without money Says:
21 September 2009 at 12:12 am.
[...] Alternative money system: Living without money [...]
