Worth and Value

The following is some notes I wrote while reading a book recently. It has not been edited for grammatical or logical accuracy. I merely was interacting with the text. I do have many thoughts on the subject and answers from my own beliefs that I do not include here. This is merely the rambling trackings of a small mind.

Perchance I would have but one chance to enumerate the worth or value of an object or idea. Such an event would be of utmost important depending on the worth I myself place upon said particular item. If I feel naught but callous apathy, my words would display such a belief through a dismissal and lackadaisical motif. However, if my full capacity of passion and fervor is consumed in the importance of said idea, my opportunity to speak should ignite within me a desire and purpose without rival. But in either case, does my perspective of value have any relevance to the worth of the object? It would seem to raise no small question concerning the identification, and more importantly, the source of the worth.
Worth may be on one case the value of an object or idea to an individual or group of people. In such perspective, the object has no value except that which is ascribed to it by a frivolous association of need. On the other hand, worth may be an intrinsic character trait which exists due to the nature of an object or idea. If such be true, then no matter the perspective of the purveyor, the value would remain unchanged.
Such a worth seems Utopian but logically inconsistent. In said path of reason, worth naturally must mean the perceived value of an object. The demand of desire for an item determines its worth. The phenomenon of money or currency is one such example (or even conundrum). A piece of paper or metal takes on more value due to its makeup and format. The materials which construct the item are not worth the value of the final object. The worth is attributed due to representative construct with which the materials are formed.
But at the same time, that worth comes from an arbitrary designation based upon a greater system of interchange and commerce. Need drives desires which crave satisfaction only provided by an exchange of capriciously designated “worthless” material.
But society has progressed to such a point where the abandonment of such system (though a constructed farce) would cause massive collapse of societal structure and widespread destitution. Therefore, artificially created worth has become irreplaceable due to the core needs of human life and interaction.
Many such questions pervade all constructs of understanding and communication. Words and language exist due to shared agreement of worth and value. Without such understanding, no sound would bear any meaning outside of each individual. So worth once again is needed but not necessarily real.
What then must be the view of life itself? We believe that we exist and therefore seek most often to preserve that existence. But is our existence of any particular value or is it merely a brief blip on an irreversible path of material existence? Can a singular being whose existence is not sustained within itself the best evaluator of its own worth? Or must our worth be defined by what we do with whatever life we have? To confront such questions is to identify that entity which you designated the evaluator. You must decide if you will believe that there is something which has worth and value intrinsic to itself. And if so, what then emanates from such worth which ascribes to our existence a value not subject to our own feeble understandings.

My one unedited attempt at flash fiction

The flickering light from a solitary candle illuminated a downcast pair of eyes.  The candle’s waning glow mirrored the heart of the silent observer.  His shining moment had fallen just short of success but the distance seemed a yawning chasm.  He could feel the eyes of the crowd upon him, but the dim light shielded him from what must surely be looks of disenchantment.   Slowly the consequences of his failure became strikingly clear.

His greatest hopes and dreams had been coupled to his absolute success.  With the weight of defeat, came the crushing realization that his wish would never be realized.  The past year of life was all for naught.

What had led to this fiasco?  He moiled in thought to descry some insight.  The past became a conspicuous hole into which the eyes did seek.    Alas, no solitary answer came.  He could find no place to blame for he had given everything.

Yet with a slight shimmer, the candle’s radiance increased.  With it as well, the downcast eyes raised faintly.  Was there now a chance that his dream remained intertwined with the fate of this solitary candle?  Could he spare such hope in this moment of sorrow?  Possibly a renewed burst of energy would atone for what could become a momentary stumble.

Could the unseen eyes be appeased with a second effort?  Maybe triumph and approval were yet attainable upon the wings of rejuvenated fervor.  Slowly the determination swelled.  He summoned all his strength to battle once again.

A solitary figure stood shrouded on the outskirts of the crowd.  He watched the eyes of the silent observer as the candle’s glow displayed the battle within the soul.  Finally his voice broke the silence with a statement of pointed wisdom.

“Blow out the candle already and let’s eat some cake.”