The Concept Of Values In Cotemporary Social Sciences

IT should be noted at the outset that The definition of the concept of values cannot be a straightforward matter. This is because the term is subject to confused and confusing usage in contemporary culture. The meaning of value was once dear, and its use limited. It meant the worth of a thing and the worth in question was generally economic or quasi­economic (Frankena, 1967). Not until the nineteenth century was there a recognition of the need for a systematic, general theory of value to include general questions of what ought to be, what is desired and what is desirable. These axiological questions have been subject to contentious debate in philosophy, anthropology and sociology since then. In ordinary discourse, however, the term value is a much used enc, but one which is often used in many different ways which are usually not clearly specified. Nevertheless, it is as often, tacitly assumed that "we know what we mean when we use the term". Smith (1969) argues that the value concept in social sciences is in a state of "disarray", due in part to a proliferation of concepts which are related to values, but are not equivalent to them i.e.. attitudes, norms, traits, needs and interests. Brown (1976) calls value theory a "semantic jungle". The term value is used in everyday language and therefore. it is possible that individuals tend to take its meaning for granted, adding to the semantic confusion.