Axiology

A. Definition of axiology

Axiology is a branch of philosophy of science that questions how humans use their
knowledge. So what axiology wants to achieve is the nature and benefits contained in
knowledge. Axiology comes from the Greek words axio and logos. Axio means proper or
worthy while logos mean knowledge. So, axiology is a theory of value related to the usefulness
of the knowledge that has been obtained. Axiology itself can be interpreted as a science that
discusses the nature of the benefits or uses of existing knowledge. In the Indonesian dictionary,
axiology is the use of knowledge for human life regarding values, especially ethics.

The definition of axiology according to experts, among others:

1. Kattsoff (2004), Understanding axiology is a science that investigates the nature of values
which are generally viewed from a philosophical point of view.

2. Wibisono (in Surajiyo, 2009), The meaning of axiology is values as a benchmark for truth,
ethics and morals as a normative basis for research as well as excavation, as well as the
application of science.

3. Jujun S. suriasumantri, The meaning of axiology is a theory of value related to the usefulness
of the knowledge acquired.

From the definition of axiology above, it is clear that the main problem is about value.
The value in question is something that humans have to make various considerations about what
is being assessed. The theory of value which in philosophy refers to ethical and aesthetic issues
where the meaning of ethics has two meanings, namely a collection of knowledge regarding the
assessment of human actions and a predicate used to distinguish actions, behavior, or others.
Ethics assesses human actions, it is more appropriate to say that the formal object of ethics is the
norms of human morality, and it can also be said that ethics studies human behavior in terms of
good and bad in a normative condition, namely a condition that involves norms. While
aesthetics is related to the value of the experience of beauty that is owned by humans to the
environment and the phenomena around it.
 When we try to observe the direction of thought of western scientists – although not all
of them agree – that the orientation of scientific thought in any field must be value-free. Because
- according to them - science that is based on certain values will contain bias and is not neutral.
But on the other hand, some of them also formulate – especially pragmatists and adherents of
moral/ethical philosophy – that every new formulation in the world of science will be recognized
as true when it is pragmatic (useful value) for social life. When it is based on an axiological
basis, a scientific statement or proposition can be considered true if it contains an axiological
element in it, namely the value of benefits for human life. If the spirit of science itself wants the
value of the benefits of science, then actually the practice of science must also be based on the
existing values. The omission of the useful (axiological) value of science can mean that it has
weakened the position of science itself from the point of view of the philosophy of science.

B. Axiology as part of philosophy

So axiology is part of philosophy that is concerned with good and bad (good and bad),
right and wrong (right and wrong), and about means and goals (means and and). Axiology tries
to formulate a consistent theory for ethical behavior. According to Bramel, axiology is divided
into three parts:

1. Moral Conduct, namely moral action, this field gives birth to a special discipline, namely
ethics.

2. Aesthetic expression, namely the expression of beauty, this field gives birth to beauty

3. Socio-political life, namely socio-political life, which will give birth to socio-political
philosophy.

C. Axiology equals value

In the Encyclopedia of philosophy, it is explained that axiology is equated with value

and valuation:

1. Value is used as an abstract noun, in a narrower sense such as good, interesting and good.
Whereas in a broader sense it includes in addition all forms of obligation, truth and holiness.
2. Value as a concrete noun. For example when we say a value or values. It is often used to refer
to something of value, such as its value or its value.

3. Value is also used as a verb in the expression of assessing, giving value or being judged.

Values are objective, but sometimes subjective. It is said to be objective if the values
do not depend on the subject or consciousness that judges. The benchmark for an idea is in the
object, not the subject who makes the assessment. Truth does not depend on the truth of
individual opinion but on the objectivity of facts. On the other hand, the value becomes
subjective, if the subject plays a role in giving the assessment; human consciousness becomes the
benchmark of assessment. Thus subjective value always pays attention to the various views
possessed by the human mind, such as feelings that will hone to likes or dislikes, likes or
dislikes. So the problems of the axiology of science that underlie the scientific human attitude
include:

1. Value Traits

The nature of values or value levels is supported by the notion of fulfillment of desires,
pleasure, satisfaction of interests, pure rational will. And all experiences that support the increase
in value or quality of life. In other words, the level of value is a close relationship between
something as a means to get to the end point or to get to the actual result.

2. Value Type

There are two types of value, namely intrinsic value and instrumental value. Intrinsic
value is the value found in oneself as self-respect. Which belongs to the intrinsic value, namely
goodness in terms of morals, beauty, beauty, chastity, and purity. Instrumental value is a
supporting value that causes something to have intrinsic value. The application of this type of
value can be directed to assessing drama performances, works of art, scientific works. The
assessment targets can be classified into “Very Good”, “Good”, “Poor” and so on.
3. Value Criteria

Value criteria to test the level of value based on psychological theory and logic theory.
Adherents of the flow called naturalists assume that it is the sustainability of life that can be used
as a benchmark for assessment.

One of the aims of this study on the usefulness of science (axiology) is to provide
support for the progress of other sciences. It is not easy to determine whether a science is useful
or not. However, this paper tries to provide the usefulness criteria in a simple way, including the
following:

a. Basically, a science is said to be useful if it can provide / bring prosperity, benefit and
convenience to human life. In order to foster prosperity and build social benefit. In social reality,
data shows that science has a large enough contribution to human progress. There is an
undeniable fact that human civilization is very indebted to science and technology. Thanks to
advances in this field, the fulfillment of human needs can be carried out faster and more easily in
addition to the creation of various facilities in various fields, such as health, transportation,
housing, education and communication.

b. Science is said to be useful if it can provide information about the truth, whether sensory truth,
scientific truth or religious truth. Sensory truth is a truth that is only based on the results of
sensory observations, such as the results of observations of a phenomenon that appears in social
life. Senses is one of the tools to absorb all objects that exist outside of humans. In the study of
philosophy, the school that puts forward the senses to capture phenomena is called realism,
namely the school that believes that all that is known is reality. Thus, a science is called useful
when it is able to provide information about the truth needed by humans, not fake news. (hoax) is
misleading. In principle, it is conveying true news (information) based on scientific truths based
on revelation, not relative truths based on reason alone.

c. Science is called useful if it can guide humans to become human beings who are humble and
have personalities who know the greatness of God and are aware of their very weak and limited
existence. Therefore, when discussing science.
D. The role of axiology in philosophy

Axiology discusses value theoretically which is fundamental and philosophical, namely

discussing value to its essence. Axiology is a branch of philosophy that analyzes the nature of
values which include the values of goodness, truth, beauty, and religion. Axiology is an aspect of
philosophy that discusses values or morals that apply in human life. The main role of this
axiology is to give direction to humans to do a better action.

Axiology is a theory of value that deals with the usefulness of acquired knowledge.
With axiology, we learn about what the benefits of knowledge are obtained or the values we
derive from a science, such as the values contained in a painting.

Axiological theory has domains including ethics and aesthetics. If we already

understand and know about a science, then proceed with the study of axiology, this axiology will
discuss the benefits that can be obtained from the knowledge obtained. Is this science able to
provide benefits or vice versa?

Axiology is part of the philosophy of science that emphasizes its discussion around the
use value or benefits of a science. The discussion of axiology concerns the issue of the value of
the usefulness of science. Science is not value free. This means that at certain stages sometimes
science must be adapted to the cultural and moral values of a society; so that the value of the
usefulness of this knowledge can be felt by the community in their efforts to improve shared
welfare, not otherwise cause disaster. Among the uses of science is to provide benefits and
various conveniences for human survival itself. This aspect becomes very important in the
process of developing science, because a branch of science that does not have axiological value
tends to bring harm to human survival. It does not even rule out the possibility of the science
concerned being a very dangerous threat, both for the sustainability of social life and the balance
of nature.

So in general, it can be stated that the philosophy of science is a study of various

phenomena that exist philosophically which includes 3 (three) aspects of discussion, namely
ontology, epistemology and axiology. (1) The nature of what you want to study/research; (2)
how to get it; and (3) what is the value of the benefits that can be obtained from the study. All
axiological problems are always related to ontological and epistemological assumptions. So
ontology, epistemology, and axiology are interconnected in everyday life.