Human values are incommensurable—they cannot be measured on
Human values are incommensurable — they cannot be measured on a single universal scale.
Why This Is an Axiom
This is Berlin's foundational claim of value pluralism. It is not derived from other axioms—it is a bedrock philosophical commitment about the nature of values themselves. The curriculum takes this as axiomatic to explain why competing-goods decisions cannot be resolved formulaically.
Source Lessons
Competing goods
Often the hardest value decisions are between two good things not between good and bad.
Purpose is not singular
You can have multiple purposes that operate at different scales and in different domains.
Living on purpose means living deliberately
When your actions flow from a clear purpose every day has direction.
A refined value hierarchy is a compass for your entire life
Clear values remove confusion and provide direction for every significant choice.
Multiple valid narratives
You can hold several valid narratives about your life simultaneously.
Coherence across life domains
Your meaning at work in relationships in creativity and in service should connect.
Multiple meanings can be valid simultaneously
The same event can hold different valid meanings depending on the framework applied.