ABSTRACT
The concept of the valuational base is intended to point to the crystallization of the determinate elements, and to suggest that these may play a fundamental role in evaluative processes. It is a base because it acts as a standpoint for evaluation, providing moorings to which a morality may be fastened, and sailing-charts for its general course. It is valuational because it embodies major decisions of policy supported by an interlocking structure of human knowledge and human striving. It is not simply identical with basic value premises widely held or pervasive attitudes, since even a strong and widespread value inclination may be distorting human needs and be shot through with false assumptions about the world. The valuational base may be seen rather to contain value conclusions or guiding principles embodying the fullest available knowledge about men’s aspirations and conditions. Lack of a place in the valuational base may not therefore be construed as derogation of value.
