The Highest Good
Hierarchical Values Under a Conditionalist Lens
When exploring the claim that "everyone must worship something," we quickly discover that its truth depends entirely on how we interpret the concept of worship. According to Conditionalism—the philosophical stance that all truth claims require interpretation and thus are inherently conditional—this claim can't be evaluated meaningfully in isolation.
If "worship" strictly denotes reverence directed toward something sacred, transcendent, or divine, the claim clearly fails, as many people explicitly reject religious or spiritual practices. But if we expand the meaning to encompass profound commitment, dedication, or ultimate orientation, then the claim takes on plausible—even trivial—truth. Under this broad interpretation, even atheists, materialists, or nihilists can be said to "worship" whatever occupies the highest place in their value hierarchy—whether that be knowledge, pleasure, freedom, power, or security.
This naturally leads to considering the organization of values themselves. If we represent an individual's value system hierarchically, logic dictates there must be a single highest value. A hierarchical structure inherently demands an apex, even if the person isn't consciously aware of it, or even if this apex value changes over time. Without such an apex, the structure isn't truly hierarchical but rather becomes a more complex network or cyclical graph.
Yet, when we zoom out from abstract philosophical definitions and reflect on immediate human needs, we notice something starkly different. At any given moment, the most pressing requirement might not be philosophical or abstract at all—it might simply be oxygen. Oxygen illustrates an essential distinction: foundational physiological necessities are involuntary and imperative. Without oxygen, higher-order psychological or philosophical values become irrelevant. Thus, oxygen represents not a consciously chosen value but rather an implicit, non-negotiable prerequisite for the pursuit of other values.
Ultimately, Conditionalism makes clear that evaluating what we worship or value—and indeed what constitutes the "highest" value—depends entirely on the interpretative conditions we set. Recognizing this dependency helps clarify philosophical discussions about worship, value, and hierarchy, distinguishing between immediate survival imperatives and consciously prioritized beliefs and ideals.