Foundations
Audio Transcript of Video
Introduction: Who was Dr. Robert S. Hartman?
Here, in part, is a tribute written by one of his colleagues, entitled: An Attempt to Objectively Compare the Incomparable:
Robert S. Hartman is only a mere man,
Ignorant and feeble in many respects.
Who has, it seems,
The originality of Plato,
The comprehensiveness and scope of Aristotle and Hegel,
The deductive, systematic approach of Spinoza and Bentham, and
The conceptual revolution of Copernicus, Darwin, Freud, and Einstein.
Plus, he has the goodwill and clear thinking of Socrates,
And the innovation in science of Galileo.
Dr. Hartman was all this and more.
Early Years in Germany
Born in Berlin in 1910, Robert Hartman was a young lawyer and assistant judge when he watched in horror as morality itself was weaponized. In a world where laws no longer protected the innocent but condemned them—where words like "good" and "right" were corrupted to justify atrocity—he knew he had to escape. But more than that, he had to resist. Not with force, but with ideas.
Fleeing Germany in 1932, Hartman carried with him a single, burning question: How do we define goodness in a world that distorts it?
He had witnessed how evil could disguise itself in reason—how warped logic and corrupted values could lead entire nations astray. And he believed this: if evil could be systematized, then so could goodness.
A Life's Mission and Purpose
This conviction became his life's work, eventually giving birth to Formal Axiology—the science of value.
Working alongside luminaries like Abraham Maslow and Viktor Frankl, Hartman developed the Axiological Hierarchy of Value and the Hartman Value Profile™ assessment—tools that reveal how human beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors are shaped by our perceptions of value. His work offers profound insight into leadership, social dynamics, decision-making, and personal transformation.
As a professor at institutions including Ohio State, MIT, Yale, the University of Tennessee, the College of Wooster, and the National University of Mexico, he was a prolific writer, multilingual lecturer, and industry consultant.
Beyond Academia: Real-World Impact
But Hartman didn't remain in the realm of theory. He was one of the originating forces behind the profit-sharing movement and what is today known as the 401(k) retirement plan in the United States—championing the intrinsic worth of people above power and profit.
In 1973, at the age of 63, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by eight of his international peers for "a life of outstanding contribution to peace among nations, among classes, and in the human heart."
Modern neuroscience now validates what Hartman understood early on: beliefs, goals, choices, and behaviors are determined by subjective perceptions of value. With Applied Formal Axiology, we can measure and align these perceptions with objective principles of goodness and value creation—improving decision-making, leadership, relationships, and well-being.
His Legacy Lives On
His legacy continues through the Hartman Institute. Our members carry forward his vision: to foster understanding, empathy, and collaboration through the principles of Formal Axiology—shaping a world in which every person's intrinsic worth is recognized, respected, and honored.
Around the world, consultants, coaches, educators, and therapists use axiological principles and tools to generate meaningful results in leadership development, personal growth, hiring and selection, training, performance improvement, and the cultivation of essential life skills.
All toward the realization of our greatest potential and highest good.
Organizations that integrate axiological principles consistently cultivate cultures marked by integrity, deep engagement, and exceptional performance.
While Dr. Hartman's work remains relatively unknown in today's mainstream, it may be more significant than any other science—for it addresses the very root of who we are and who we can become, as the only species with the capacity to shape the future of life on Earth.
Your Opportunity
We encourage you to learn all you can about axiology and how to apply it in your life, work, and organizations—not simply because it's intellectually fascinating, but because it is transformational, generative, and the most reliable path toward creating a world that works for all. It can help you see yourself and the world through new eyes, revealing possibilities for your life, your relationships, your organization, and the larger human community.
Consider working with a member of the Hartman Institute—whether for yourself or your organization. Approach this work with the seriousness it deserves. Because the truth is, the quality of your life, your organization, and our world depends on the values that guide us.
Coming Up
In the next segment, we explore some of the core principles of formal axiology. There you'll discover something beautifully simple yet profoundly powerful—something that, if applied thoughtfully, could change your life for good.