AXIA is ‘true value‘. It is the Ancient Greek word indicating the worth of things or actions. Here we refer specifically to ‘ethical value’. In fact, ‘ethical value’ denotes something’s level of importance. The task is to determine what action or life is best to do, or at least describing the value of different actions. Value is also a feeling, an attitude, a priority. And it is possible to think of a personal value as an internal compass.

The word seems simple with its four letters, but the notion of value is quite complicated. What is the value of a small, old handkerchief with no ornaments nor fine fabric? Well, we know that such a low-ranking object bears no ‘market value’ and cannot be expensive. But the same old object could be the only souvenir from my grandmother who I feel a profound affection for. In such a case, the ‘sentimental value’ is much greater that the market one. This nostalgic value is recognizable solely by myself and is not appreciable by anybody outside my family. From this everyday example we understand the complications in the notion of <axia>. That is the reason for the philosophical interest towards this concept.

<Axia> is ‘true value’. Therefore from the word <axia> comes axiology which is the philosophical study of value. It is the collective word either for ethics and aesthetics, two philosophical issues depending on the notions of worth. The word axiology was first used by Paul Lapie, in 1902, and Eduard von Hartmann, in 1908.

In fact, axiology studies the values in ethics and aesthetics. Ethics explores mostly the notions of “right” and “good” in personal and public conduct. Aesthetics investigates the concepts of “beauty” and “harmony.”