Incommensurability of values - An existential approach

The paper is based on the assumption of practical relevance of an incommens urable model of choice in a pluralistic world. It points out the significan ce of the issue in question in terms of modernism and post-modernism, and a ttempts at its delimitation. The author refers to research projects into va lue-ranking and conflict-solving whose results indicate that ontic uncertai nty and anxiety are involved in the incommensurability strategy of choice. Hence, it is necessary to verify theoretical justification of the incommens urability postulate by examining existential analyses. The author refers to Kierkegaard's philosophy which features a number of relevant aspects. Firs t of all, it is his "indirect approach" cultivating sensitivity to incommen surability; furthermore, the paper draws attention to Kierkegaard's descrip tions of the modes of existence that make use of the incommensurability eff ect on application of existential information, and exemplification of the p attern embodying the life-form. The existential analysis is used for identi fication of the distinctions among the modes of existence, and of their tra nsitions to the incommensurability principle. At the level of religious mea ning of Kierkegaard's categories, incommensurability expresses the facticit y of paradoxical human existence.