Definitionv1DF-676
Value pluralism
the philosophical position that great human values are genuinely plural, often incompatible, and sometimes incommensurable — meaning they cannot be measured on a single scale
Why This Is a Definition
This definition establishes the precise semantic boundary of 'value pluralism' by identifying its genus (philosophical position) and differentia (genuinely plural, often incompatible, sometimes incommensurable values). It distinguishes this from relativism and explains that values are objective goods that conflict because the world is not designed to make all good things simultaneously achievable.
Source Lessons
Values conflicts are inevitable
Your values will conflict with each other. Freedom conflicts with security. Achievement conflicts with balance. These conflicts are not errors — they are the natural consequence of having a rich, multi-dimensional value system.
Other people's values are different from yours
Assuming others share your values causes persistent misunderstanding.