The Economy of Permanence: A Quest for a Social Order Based on Non-violence (स्थायी अर्थतन्त्र)

Economy of Permanence
VIII. SCALES OF VALUES
We appraise various things by comparing them with certain known or well
recognized standards. There are also different methods of measuring various
kinds of goods; we reckon some by number, others by weight, quantity or
length and so on., Solids like wheat, gur, iron are measured by weight-tons,
maunds, etc.; wood or timber as so many cubic feet; bamboos by their number,
cloth by the yard, paper by the ream; bidis or cigarettes by katas or packets,
while liquids like oil are measured by the seer and kerosene oil, ink etc. by the
number of containers, as so many bottles. Each standard has its unit accurately
defined and the articles to which they are applied are also well known and
accepted. Nobody will go into a shop and order a thousand grains of wheat!
Nature of Approach: In so far we judge things in relation to ourselves we say it
is self-centred and when measured against an external or abstract ideal and in
relation to others it is said to be altruistic. Most animals also judge for
themselves but their considerations are always self-centred i.e., in regard to
the immediate use of a thing for themselves. They do not have altruistic
valuations. Similarly, primitive man also has not much use for altruistic values.
It is the cultured or more advanced man that can take a detached view of
things. In fact, we may well say that a man is known by the standard of value
he uses.
INDIVIDUAL OR SELF-CENTRED VALUES
Types of Values: In all walks of life we are constantly called upon to judge men
and things. We state that the water from a well is fresh and pure; we may
declare a flower to be beautiful and we may pronounce a pertain person's
conduct as noble and good. These decisions all indicate certain standards
behind them. When a man is known to judge correctly always, we hold him to
be a man of discernment— that is, he uses appropriate and accurate standards
of value. We may group these standards as physical or material, mental or
cultural and spiritual standards.
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