The Shift of Value Foundation to Empiricism——Review of R.B.Berry's Value Essence Theory

There is a strong tendency to scientism in the Metaphysical Value Foundation Theory, which regards value foundation as something that only exists in metaphysics. As a result, this theory makes the relationships between value and social realities and value rules break up. In his Value Interest theory, which lays its foundation on the experiences of social life, R.B.Perry summaries a general value from experiences, and transform thes “interest” (which belongs to the concept of subjective psychology) to the experiential fact that can be observed by the ways of behaviourist psychology and sociology.Therefore, Perry fulfills the shift of value foundation from Metaphysics to Empiricism and overcomes the Metaphysical Value Foundation Theorys faults to some extent. But there are also obvious faults in Perrys experiential value foundation theory, the faults show not only lacking of deep foundation in his value essence theory which deals with value relationship between subject and object, but also pansientism tendency. If we wish to overcome Perrys faults, we will have to shift value foundation and lay value on practical basis only.