Nozick on Value and Meaning: Human Activity is Valuable and Therefore Meaningful

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Robert Nozick in, The Examined Life, meditates on two specific dimensions of our human reality, value and meaning. Nozick defines both of these dimensions in an attempt to frame an argument that is evaluative in regards to humans. Through the explication of Nozick's contentions with most of the focus on value, an argument that emotion has meaning will be made. Specifically, human activity is valuable and therefore meaningful. Thus, the argument will be framed in regards to Nozick's established parameters of value and meaning. Two Dimensions: Value and meaning- Nozick first considers value. Nozick argues that, “... to be more valuable is to be more real...” (Nozick 162). Yet, this metaphysical claim does not simply sum up Nozick's definition of value. Immediately, Nozick rightly notes the difference between intrinsic value and value as a means to something else, while accounting for the possibility of something being both kinds. While Nozick makes these two aspects of value distinct, he notes that the basic aspect of value is intrinsic value. Nozick argues that the reason why intrinsic value is the basic element to value is that intrinsic value exists on it's own, it needs no relation (Nozick 162-163). The focus of Nozicks definition of value is then tied specifically to intrinsic value. Nozick contends that, “[s]omething has intrinsic value... to the degree that it is organically unified (Nozick 164). Nozick states that a things organic unity is it's value (Nozick 164). Organic unity is simply defined, and used by Nozick, as 'unity in diversity.' Nozick argues organic unity directly applies to value. Nozick contends that organic unity is comprised of two parts, the degree of diversity and the degree of unity that said diversi... ... middle of paper ... ... the body into an observable emotion state. Yet, emotion is subjective. An agents' emotion is felt by that agent, it is their subjective experience, it entices a physiological response in the agent. In the application of Nozick's framework, emotion will be shown to be intrinsically valuable and therefore meaningful. Just as the application of the mind-body problem shows the intrinsic value of human consciousness, the application of human subjectivity, which is already intrinsically valuable, shows that subjective emotion is intrinsically valuable. Thus- The human experience is intrinsically valuable when applying Nozick's framework. Thus, an important component of the organically unified human, emotion, is intrinsically valuable. Human activity is valuable and therefore meaningful according to Nozick, thus the human activity of subjective emotion is meaningful.

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