General and economic axiology

Axiology is a notion that is derived from the Greek language and consists of two parts as follows: the first one that is defined as axios, namely something which has value and thanks to this it is valuable, while the second one is derived from the word logos, which signifies reason, but also theory and science. Axiology is a theory of values that however have strong relations with life and practice, both in a singular dimension and in a wider notion. The values that we profess, how we perceive them and what significance they hold for us are a reflection of us in terms of who we are, what we do and why we do not do other things, what we aim for, how we react, what we accept and what arouses our dissent, etc.

The division into general and economic axiology is not accepted on a wider scale. For the purposes of this work, it has been acknowledged that as there is a multitude of various values that may be arranged in different groups, while the subject of detailed interest shall be economic values, it would be convenient to apply the division of “general axiology,” relating to the values as a whole, whereas the “economic values” are narrowed down to the economic values. In our era, economic values such as efficiency, profitability, effectiveness, performance, competitiveness, innovativeness, as well as others are perceived to be very important. The economy, employment, economic activity and prosperity are deemed to be particularly important. In other eras, both earlier and perhaps later ones, the hierarchy of the groups has been and perhaps still is different. Of course, in the search for these answers it is worth adding “important for whom”. It has always been the case that the defined values are more important for some people, social stratum or societies as a whole, whereas less important or even quite unimportant for others. This aspect is variable over time and is dependent on the constantly evolving way of perceiving the changing world by means of the changing people and their experiences.