Valentsusest

Valentsusest is a term used in speculative philosophy and value theory to denote a relational approach to value. It posits that the value of an action, policy, or outcome is determined by the valence attributed to it by a network of agents, rather than by intrinsic properties alone. Under valentsusest, value judgments are seen as dependent on social context, stakeholder perspectives, and temporal dynamics, making value inherently contingent and plural.

The term is a neologism introduced in contemporary theoretical discussions about modeling value in socially complex systems. It does not have a single, widely accepted etymology, and different authors relate it to concepts of valence and social evaluation. As a result, interpretations of valentsusest vary across disciplines and texts.

Core ideas include: valence aggregation across agents, dynamic weighting that can shift over time, and a reframing of intrinsic versus instrumental value in terms of social valence. Formal approaches often model value with multi-agent frameworks, such as a simple representation like V = sum_i w_i v_i, where v_i is the perceived valence for actor i and w_i their influence. This provides a way to analyze how different stakeholders shape overall assessments of worth.

Applications appear in ethical theory, policy evaluation, and AI governance discussions, offering a lens to study how decisions gain value in practice. Critics argue that valentsusest can promote relativism and measurement challenges, while supporters contend that it captures real-world pluralism and the social construction of value.

See also: value theory, value pluralism, social choice theory, moral philosophy, valence.