[ Value / Values ]

There’s a big difference between “value” in the singular, as in the value of gold, and “values” in the plural: family values, or integrity.  This idea about “value” vs “values” is credited to David Graeber. 

“Value” is economic, and relates to what we pay, and what we get paid for.  “Values” appear when that’s not the case.  Housework and childcare are obvious unpaid work – which relate to family or home values.  Volunteering is unpaid but demonstrates community values. 

Commodities have economic value because they can be compared with others, whereas values are valuable because they cannot be compared and priced.