Values

The positive meaning of a thing or phenomena for the life and activity of a certain individual, group or even society as a whole. A thing or phenomenon (including material, institutional and spiritual things or phenomena), due to certain attributes it has, can satisfy certain needs (material, institutional or spiritual needs) of a certain subject, has a positive, affirmative meaning for the subject, is meaningful, i.e., valuable for the subject. If a thing or phenomenon due to its unique attributes cannot satisfy the subject’s needs, or even prevent the subject from satisfying its needs, it has a negative meaning for the subject, it is worthless or even has a negative value for the subject. The scope and extent to which a thing or phenomenon satisfies the needs of the subject vary, and so does the magnitude of its value. As a relation between a certain subject and object, values have an objective nature. The existence, attributes and role of the object, the existence and needs of the subject, and the results of the interaction between the subject and the object are all objective. Values are not unilaterally determined by the needs of the subject. The attributes inherent to the object are the objective basis for the emergence of values. Values also have a subjective nature. The characteristics of values themselves are directly connected with the characteristics of the subject, and the properties of values manifest themselves as or reflect the subjective content. Values have a relative nature. The value of each concrete thing for a certain subject under certain historical conditions is concrete, conditional, and therefore relative. Different value subjects have the same, but also different and even needs in opposition to each other. When examined from the point of view of the fundamental interests of the masses, different needs may have different natures. Values should be analyzed concretely and historically.