This is the second of a 3-part article. The first part focused on a few things I have learned from my PHIL 100 class, namely the thinking of two philosophers, Clifford and Russell. In the second part of this article I continue my reasoning by analyzing intrinsic value and using some examples for clarity; and in the third and last part I am going to discuss how to best enjoy your life, as explained my my Philosophy professor.
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...According to Russell, the “narrowly practical man” is the person who recognizes only material or physical needs such as the need to eat, sleep, etc, but he does not recognize the need to train his mind, “feed” it, and keep it well. Unaware of what value is, the narrowly practical man is always chasing the added value of happiness, but he might never actually get it...
To see why, we need to differentiate between means and ends, and between extrinsic value and intrinsic value. According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, “Intrinsic value has traditionally been thought to lie at the heart of ethics. Philosophers use a number of terms to refer to such value. The intrinsic value of something is said to be the value that that thing has “in itself,” or “for its own sake,” or “as such,” or “in its own right.” Extrinsic value is value that is not intrinsic.”
This is the discussion of the Ends of Life, which contrasts Theoretical Reasoning to Practical Reasoning. Practical reasoning has to do with extrinsic value, which is what everyone, even the narrowly practical men, even the naive and the instinctive men can see. Extrinsic value is the value of something as a means to get something else. For example, brushing your teeth has no intrinsic value, it is not enjoyable in itself, it is something that you would not just do because it makes you feel good. It is just a means to an end, something that you do to have a clean smile, fresh breath, and prevent cavities.
On the other hand, eating some chocolate has great intrinsic values. You are not trying to raise your blood sugar, you are not trying to gain fat, you are not trying to study the psychological effects of chocolate on the human brain; you are just enjoying the sensation of eating that brown gold. If you were doing any of those things, and perhaps you did not even like chocolate, then eating chocolate would have mostly extrinsic value for you. But if you are like me, then chocolate has A LOT of intrinsic value and no extrinsic value what-so-ever! You just eat it ‘cause you like it!
The same concept applies to hanging out with your friends or watching a sunset, you do it because you just enjoy it for what it is, period. Therefore, whatever has intrinsic value is not a means to an end, it is the end. Truth be told, there is intrinsic value in most of the things that people do on a daily basis, but unfortunately we often fail to notice it.
People get caught in what they are doing and they forget to enjoy it. This is why people say “Thank God it’s Friday!”, so they can finally be themselves. They spend five days working SO THAT they can spend two days relaxing, having fun, and enjoying their time. And students study hard during the week SO THAT they can have fun in the weekend. But why is that? Why can’t we have both at the same time? Can you find the intrinsic value in working? In studying? In the end— I think— whatever adds value to my life contributes to my happiness, and isn't happiness what every human being ultimately strives for? But what is happiness? Is it love, is it success, is it money?
To find out, read ahead in the last part of this article.
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