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HUMANITIES 473 Threat, but also those tired old philosophical bit players, Smith and jones, and even A and B have small parts. Owl also wove in some of his earlier writings, which would never be mistaken for Aesop compositions ; and he never quite solves a perennial problem of people who write philosophy in dialogue form: at what point can they gracefully cast themselves as having won an argument? The ink drawings by Frank Newfeld which illustrate each chapter are nicely done. They are not on the whole witty things, but they do help give the book the feel of a dear old Aesop volume. (I.F.M. HUNTER) A.H. Johnson. Modes of Value Philosophical Library. 244· $1.5.00 In the Epilogue of this book we are told that its 'main concern is to outline the results of comprehensive experience' in the field of value (p 214). Throughout the book the author 'reports' a wide variety of 'results of comprehensive experience,' and there is little doubt that the latter phrase is a euphemism for something like 'the way I see it.' As William james might have said, that's a pretty rickety ship to set sail in heavy metaphysical waters, but that's about all the author has going for him. People looking for sturdier stuff will have to look elsewhere. The general view of the nature or ontological status of value is described fairly clearly. In johnson's own words: 'it is reported that value is a simple entity which is a characteristic of some other entities. Since it is not identical with other entities, nor does it have component parts, nor is its nature generated by any other entity, as far as comprehensive experience is concerned - its nature cannot be defined by reference to such reputed identical or generating entities or reputed parts. Thus a request for some sorts of definition, or criteria, of value cannot be met. However, cases of its occurrence can be pOinted to, or listed' (p 8). So far, then, we have a view follOWing in the tradition of G.E. Moore. Value is analogous to yellow and sweet. One knows them by name and sensation, but not by definition-by-analysis. But johnson explicitly rejects Moore's anti-naturalistic view. 'It is here reported,' he says, 'that value is an entity which is part of the "furniture of the universe," ultimately independent of man's initiative. It is neither a postulated, nor an other-worldly entity' (p 9). Again: 'It is very important to realize not only that the entity value, but also the entity value-opposite, is neither supernatural or non-natural' (p 12). Although he holds that 'entities differ in amounts of value' and that it is possible to weigh and balance 'varying amounts of value,' he insists that 'value does not lend itself to ... exact mathematical treatment' (p 13). Besides different 'amounts' there are also different 'modes of presence of 474 LETTERS IN CANADA 1978 value: By the latter phrase the author means that 'entities are characterized by value in various ways: six that he identifies. Value may be present (1) intrinsically, (2) as means, 0) because of some characteristics, (4) because of some consequences, (5) as possible, and (6) as potential. 'There are not six different sorts, or types, of value. Rather, one and the same entity, i.e., value, can be present in six different ways - that is to say: "modes of presence'" (p 4)· Between the Introduction and the Epilogue there are nine chapters full of 'reports' and rough definitions. For example: 'The entity family, in some of its particular occurrences, is a means (condition) for the production of living human organisms ... However, it is here reported that some particular occ'iITences of family are superior to all other social institutions as means for the satisfaction of some desires and needs and in general for the achievement of some values' (pp 177-9). Love, sympathy, justice, co-operation, knowledge, honesty, tolerance, and many other important things are treated this way. Sometimes the treatment is believable and sometimes not. That is to be expected in a philosophic treatise. But nearly always in this treatise the treatment is...

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