Philosophy and the Question of Worth: Introduction

BY NICOLE LAU

Series: Locus × Philosophy - The Metaphysics of Worth (Part 1 of 8)

What is worth?

This is not just a psychological question. It is a philosophical question—an ontological inquiry into the nature of value itself.

Is worth inherent or conditional? Is it discovered or created? Is it objective or constructed? Does it exist independently or only in relation?

These questions have been central to philosophy for millennia. And they are central to locus theory.

This series explores locus through philosophical traditions—existentialism, phenomenology, ethics, Eastern philosophy, postmodernism, and feminist philosophy—to deepen our understanding of worth and build a rigorous philosophical foundation for internal locus.

What Is Worth? (The Ontological Question)

Ontology: The Study of Being

Ontology is the branch of philosophy that asks: What exists? What is the nature of reality?

When we ask "What is worth?" we are asking an ontological question:

• Does worth exist as a property of beings?
• Is worth inherent to existence itself?
• Or is worth something assigned, constructed, or conditional?

Two Ontologies of Worth

1. Conditional Worth (External Locus Ontology)

Claim: Worth is not inherent. It is conditional on meeting criteria, fulfilling functions, or being valued by others.

Implications:

• You are valuable if you achieve, produce, are beautiful, are loved, etc.
• Worth is earned, not given
• Worth can be lost if conditions are not met
• Some beings have more worth than others

This is the ontology underlying external locus.

2. Inherent Worth (Internal Locus Ontology)

Claim: Worth is inherent to existence. To be is to have worth.

Implications:

• You are valuable simply because you exist
• Worth is not earned—it is intrinsic to being
• Worth cannot be lost (it is not conditional)
• All beings have equal inherent worth

This is the ontology underlying internal locus.

Why This Matters

Your ontology of worth determines your entire relationship to yourself, others, and existence:

• If worth is conditional, life is a constant test. You must prove yourself worthy.
• If worth is inherent, life is an opportunity to express what you already are. You are already worthy.

This is not just theory. This is how you live.

Conditional vs Inherent Worth in Philosophical Traditions

Western Philosophy: The Tension

Western philosophy has long grappled with the question of worth:

Conditional Worth Traditions

• Aristotelian virtue ethics - Worth through cultivating virtue (conditional on character development)
• Utilitarianism - Worth based on utility or happiness produced (conditional on outcomes)
• Social contract theory - Worth based on social roles and contributions (conditional on function)
• Meritocracy - Worth based on achievement and merit (conditional on success)

Inherent Worth Traditions

• Kantian ethics - Dignity as inherent worth (rational beings have unconditional worth)
• Christian theology - Imago Dei (made in God's image = inherent worth)
• Human rights philosophy - Inalienable rights based on inherent human dignity
• Existentialism - Existence precedes essence (you create worth through authentic being)

Eastern Philosophy: Non-Dual Worth

Eastern traditions often transcend the conditional/inherent binary:

• Advaita Vedanta - You are already Brahman (ultimate reality). Worth is not earned—it is recognized.
• Buddhism - Buddha-nature is inherent. Suffering comes from seeking worth externally.
• Taoism - Wu wei (effortless action) from alignment with Tao. Worth is natural, not achieved.

These traditions point to inherent worth but frame it as recognition of what already is, not acquisition of what is lacking.

The Philosophical Debate

The tension between conditional and inherent worth is not resolved in philosophy. Different traditions offer different answers.

But locus theory makes a clear claim: Inherent worth is both ontologically true and psychologically necessary for human flourishing.

Why Philosophy Matters for Locus Theory

1. Rigor and Foundations

Psychology describes patterns. Philosophy asks: Why are these patterns true? What is their foundation?

Locus theory needs philosophical grounding to be more than descriptive—to be normative (prescriptive of how we should understand worth).

2. Cross-Cultural Validation

If locus patterns appear across philosophical traditions (Western, Eastern, existential, ethical), this suggests they point to something universal about human experience and worth.

3. Addressing Critiques

Philosophy helps address potential critiques:

• "Is worth socially constructed?" (Postmodern critique)
• "Does inherent worth ignore systemic oppression?" (Feminist critique)
• "Is internal locus just individualism?" (Communitarian critique)

Engaging with philosophy allows locus theory to respond rigorously.

4. Ethical and Political Implications

If inherent worth is true, it has profound implications:

• Ethics - How should we treat beings with inherent worth?
• Politics - What systems honor inherent worth vs create conditional worth?
• Meaning - What is a meaningful life if worth is inherent?

Philosophy helps us think through these implications.

5. Integration and Synthesis

Locus theory draws on multiple traditions. Philosophy helps us integrate these insights into a coherent framework.

What This Series Will Explore

Over the next seven articles, we will examine locus through major philosophical traditions:

1. Existentialism and Locus - Sartre, Camus, existence precedes essence, existential anxiety as external locus
2. Phenomenology and Locus - Heidegger, Being vs beings, authentic vs inauthentic existence
3. Ethics and Locus - Kant's dignity, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, worth as moral foundation
4. Eastern Philosophy and Locus - Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, Taoism, non-duality and inherent worth
5. Postmodern Critique - Foucault, Butler, social construction, locus theory response
6. Feminist Philosophy and Locus - Patriarchy and conditional worth, relational autonomy, ethics of care
7. The Future: Toward a Philosophy of Inherent Worth - Integration, locus theory as philosophical contribution, implications

The Central Claim

This series will argue:

Inherent worth is not just psychologically beneficial—it is philosophically defensible as the most coherent ontology of value.

Conditional worth creates logical contradictions, infinite regress, and existential suffering.

Inherent worth provides a stable foundation for ethics, meaning, and human flourishing.

This is not just therapy. This is philosophy.

Practice: Philosophical Reflection on Worth

Reflection Questions

1. What is my ontology of worth? Do I believe worth is conditional or inherent?
2. Where did I learn this ontology? (Family, culture, religion, philosophy?)
3. Is my ontology of worth coherent? Does it lead to flourishing or suffering?
4. Can I defend my ontology philosophically?
5. Am I willing to question my assumptions about worth?

Philosophical Practice

1. Examine Your Assumptions

"What do I assume about worth? Where do these assumptions come from?"

2. Test for Coherence

"Is my ontology of worth logically consistent? Or does it create contradictions?"

3. Consider Implications

"If worth is conditional, what follows? If worth is inherent, what follows?"

4. Engage with Traditions

"What do different philosophical traditions say about worth? What can I learn?"

5. Build Your Philosophy

"What is my philosophy of worth? Can I articulate it clearly and defend it rigorously?"

What Comes Next

The next article explores Existentialism and Locus—Sartre's radical freedom, Camus's absurdism, existence precedes essence, and existential anxiety as external locus seeking essence from outside.

This is where we examine the existentialist claim that you create your own worth—and how this relates to internal locus.