Two Kinds of Values by Loring, L. M. (review)

BOOK REVIEWS 871 Loring, L. M. Two Kinds of Values. Forword by KARL R. PoPPER. New York: Humanities Press, Inc., 1966. Pp. 199. $5.00. Although it would be untrue to assert that Miss Loring's judgments about recent ethical theory are optimistic, Two Kinds of Values is a hybrid of strengths and weaknesses. There are several reasons for saying that it is a work deserving of the designation "useful." By its survey of opinions on several major axiological questions in the light of certain established thinkers, i. e., Aristotle, Kant, Bentham, Moore and Hare, it contributes to a deeper understanding of recent ethical discussion. The author is fearless in addressing herself to the views of these men as she expresses her disagreements , criticisms and distinctions with directness and clarity. It is regrettable that her affirmations, on the other hand, are somewhat concealed . She does offer several significant conceptions as she takes part in the ongoing discourse on value. Among these must be included " nonethical values," " basic evaluation," and " moralism," expressions which are at the center of her argumentation. Her presentation of them deserves to be taken seriously, since they serve to point the direction toward a truly adequate axiology, a need which Miss Loring appreciates correctly and sensitively. Certain limitations appear to be present in this work, if one views it from the vantage point of comprehensive axiological inquiry. The work is inclined to ·slight the total system of the major authors analysed. In particular, it considers the ideas of Aristotle reported in the Ethics, while deftly skirting the metaphysical conceptions either of the De Anima or of the Metaphysics, as these propose an interpretation of human nature. It builds its notion of the Ethical Good upon the Kant of the Critique of Practical Reason and the Critique of Judgment but becomes shy before the influence of the Critique of Pure Reason where the Kantian epistemology sets the groundwork for his Ethical Good. In my opinion, the ontological dimension is essentially required for dealing with Miss Loring's " nonethical evaluation " concept or with her " basic values " concept. This point is consequential because the author strives for answt~rs to questions which are broader than the strictly ethical. Karl Popper asserted this judgment explicitly and correctly in the foreword. Miss Loring seeks an axiology, but is reluctant to admit the ontological dimension in it, which has occasioned an inadequacy in her estimation and treatment of the authors with whom she has found so much dissent. It ·should be admitted, however, that Two Kinds of Values as well as the author's suppositions in it concerning the ontological dimension spring from an emphasis on the psychological phenomena in human action. Her term " basic evalution " is the. major hint for this judgment. It is undeniable that non-ethical experiences and evaluations must be comprehensively analyzed in order to understand, as well as to integrate, the ethical in. the 872 BOOK REVIEWS human situation. Nevertheless, psychology provides one exclusive set of categories. To set the stage for an adequate axiology other disciplines must be listened to and assimilated into the body of the analysis. Precisely speaking, anthropology, sociology, economics, epistemology. history of philosophy as well as psychology have a right to be heard in axiological inquiry. Two Kinds of Values overlooks the comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach at a time in the history of axiology when such an approach seems to have won the day. Providence CoUege, Providence, R.I. G. L. CoNCORDIA, 0. P. The Dynamism of Biblical Tradition. Concilium, Vol. 20. New York: Paulist Press, 1967. Pp. !Wl. $4.50. When we view the bible primarily as the revelation of the Godhead, we have a tendency to limit our perspective merely to the content of scripture. We tend to forget that the bible is also a witness to man's 8truggle for truth, to man's struggle to see God in history. Once we broaden our gaze to encompass not only the content of God's word but also the manner of its transmission, we begin to appreciate the human dimensions of scripture and the dynamism of biblical tradition. This aroused awareness and appreciation will in turn help us to better understand...