The Extrinsic Dimension

When we talk about value, we're not talking about something deep or philosophical. Sometimes, value is about how well something works. Can it do what it's supposed to do? Is it efficient, reliable, or high quality? That's the heart of the Extrinsic Dimension—one of the three ways Dr. Hartman taught us to understand value.

What Is the Extrinsic Dimension?

The extrinsic dimension is the world of things we can measure, compare, and use. It's the dimension of function and form—of usefulness, action, and productivity. It includes anything with definable characteristics or observable traits: a car, a cup of coffee, a spreadsheet, even a handshake.

You experience this dimension every day through your five senses. You see colors, hear sounds, touch textures, and make judgments about looks, size, speed, cost, and quality. Whether tangible or intangible, if it can be described, compared, or counted, it belongs in the extrinsic dimension.

We tend to judge and value things—including ourselves and other people—based on the extrinsic attributes our senses take in: tall, short, pretty, handsome, ugly, colorful, heavy, curly, bald, cute, fast, loud, comfortable, delicious, green, soft, stinky.

A World of Function and Comparison

Think about a chair, tools, food, or a tank of gas. These are examples of extrinsic things—they have specific properties and functions. A chair is only as good as its stability and comfort. One chair may be better than another because it's stronger, lighter, or more stylish. But one thing is clear: in the extrinsic dimension, almost nothing is truly unique. If two things have much the same properties, they can often be swapped—one for the other.

This is the realm of "better" or "worse," "more" or "less." Unlike a ‘yes or no” system of logic, extrinsic values come in degrees. A slightly wobbly chair may still be useful, but not as good as one that's solid. We use these kinds of comparisons to make decisions every day—decisions about what to buy, what to build, and how to best use our time and energy.

Not only is the extrinsic dimension about usable and consumable things. It's also about doing things—taking actions and producing results.

Why It Matters

Extrinsic value matters because it helps us live more efficiently and effectively. It's how we solve problems, meet goals, and improve quality of life. We use extrinsic judgment to ask:

• Is this the best tool for the job?

• Will this option save time or money?

• Does this action bring a better result?

But here's the challenge: if we don’t have a clear sense of purpose and what would make something good; what properties it should have, or a way to tell whether it has them—we’re at risk of making poor judgments and decisions.

For instance, if you don’t know what makes a car good, or can’t evaluate whether a specific car has the qualities that are consistent with an intended purpose, how can you choose wisely?

When Extrinsic Thinking Goes Wrong

When our extrinsic judgments are off, we can misjudge situations, waste resources, and chase results that don't serve us. We may overvalue things like money or status—or undervalue things like craftsmanship, timing, or simplicity. All too often, we don't realize we've misjudged until it's too late. And sometimes, we forget to ask a deeper question: What is the purpose of doing it in the first place?

A Final Word

While the extrinsic dimension is essential as the domain of doing—where we act, build, measure, and improve—it's not the whole story. Because ultimately, the real purpose of making good extrinsic judgments and making good use of extrinsic things, is to create greater value in the realm of something of even greater intrinsic value: quality of life.