I'm working on the nuances of "value and values" in the first paragraph. I don't think of values, as commonly used today, as not having a cost, or being assured in any way. Ideas have the cost of much time, reading, research, and thought. The more time invested, the harder it is to change them (as they continually increase in value with time and effort.) I agree it is difficult to value that which has no cost. So...the values we attach to our objects and ideas..... There is often great cost associated with maintaining what most people consider to be their values.... people endure ridicule, ostracism, or even death for what they believe (and value).
And what might be considered "assured"? I cannot think of anything of which I feel assured. Nothing in life is assured, except to the simplest of minds perhaps. Living with faith in god is also a risk, perhaps doubly so. Faith could all be as you say, a big hoax, in which case some loss would be incurred during our scant time on the planet. Even if there is a god, I don't think of humans as ever becoming unconditioned, as you seem to think. So perhaps the perceived reward is not as great as one might hope. As an alternative, I would say life is all the more to be valued, not because we might lose all in an unlucky, fateful decision. Rather, it becomes even more valuable when we are free to risk living boldly in the face of pain, suffering and death, i.e. our mortality. Certainly we take negative consequences seriously, but at the same time are not inhibited and restricted in the face of them. Well, in theory. I'm not offering myself a the paragon of bravery (heroism) or faith here (i.e. like Gaston in "Beauty and the Beast".) Well, this is disjointed, but as I say I am working on it. |
