Principlev1PR-1988
For each value you pursue, ask 'why do I want this?'…
For each value you pursue, ask 'why do I want this?' repeatedly until you reach an answer of 'because I want it, full stop'—that endpoint is a terminal value, and everything prior in the chain is instrumental.
Why This Is a Principle
This is a principle (a diagnostic procedure) derived from Values exist in a hierarchical structure with terminal… (hierarchical value structure with terminal/instrumental distinction) and Externalization Exposes Hidden Structure (articulation exposes hidden structure). It prescribes a specific questioning method for categorizing values.