of the fact that his is a conceptual form of consciousness. His values are still the product of his mind, but of a mind
set in reverse, set against its own proper function, intent on self-destruction. Like rationality, irrationality is a
concept that is not applicable to animals; it is applicable only to man.
An animal's basic values and goals are biologically "programmed" by nature. An animal does not face such
questions as: What kind of entity should I seek to become? For what purpose should I live? What should I make of
my life? Man does—and men answer these questions in vastly different ways, depending on the quantity and
quality of their thinking.
Differences in men's basic values reflect differences in their basic premises, in their fundamental views of
themselves, of other men, of existence—their views of what is possible to them and what they can expect of life.
Since values involve the relation of some aspect of reality to the valuer, to the acting entity, a man's view of himself
plays a crucial role in his value-choices. To illustrate this by means of a simple example: a man regards a falling
bomb as bad for him because he is aware of his own mortality; if he were physically indestructible, he would
appraise the bomb's significance differently. One's (conscious or subconscious) view of one's own person, one's
nature and powers—whether one appraises oneself correctly or not—is implicit in one's value-judgments.
The degree of a man's self-confidence or lack of it, and the extent to which he regards the universe as open or
closed to his understanding and action—will necessarily affect the goals he will set for himself, the range of his
ambition, his choice of friends, the kind of art he will enjoy, etc. (Chapter Seven).
For the most part, the process by which a man's view of himself affects his value-choices, does not take place on a
conscious level; it is implicit in his evaluations, reflecting earlier conclusions which, in effect, are "filed" in his
subconscious.
The subconscious is the sum of mental contents and processes that are outside of or below awareness. Man's
subconscious performs two basic tasks which are crucial to his intellectual development and efficient functioning.
The subconscious operates as a storehouse of past knowledge, observations, and conclusions (it is obviously
impossible for man to keep all of his knowledge in focal