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THE GENERAL PROBLEM OF THE EFFECTS OF VALUES ON FACTS

Values are important because they shape facts and the way society works. The rules of good behavior lead to certain patterns in how people act, but those who follow these rules might not realize how their actions create a larger order. This order can become a value itself, and keeping this order may require people to follow other values without knowing why. Sometimes, different values can conflict with each other, or one value may depend on another, even if there’s no clear reason for it.

It’s also essential to understand that values are different from just habits or actions. We only notice a value when we recognize what it means. Because values influence how people behave, social scientists studying communities may face challenges. When they suggest changes in society, they need to accept and use the values that keep that society stable. If they try to change something while ignoring these key values, their suggestions could undermine the overall order of society.