You’re curious about frame, read one blog post on the subject but still don’t have it down, eh?

My guide to frame.

Note: I’ll be using frame and value interchangeably.

Frame is another way of saying “value.”

A value is a moral. A message. The value of friendship, the value of intelligence, the value of love. Etc. It’s a filter for how we color the world.

What values are you crafting your argument around? What values are you living your life by? What values are at your core?

For example I’m writing this post with an “observational” frame/value.

You’re reading this from a “learning” frame/value, or perhaps a “critiquing” value, if I didn’t hold true to that aforementioned value of “observation” well enough.

There is no inherently bad frame, just like there is no inherently bad value. It’s about your reasoning as to why a specific value works best in a specific circumstance, not about whether the value itself is good/bad.

That’s called an argument.

Ex:

Most liberals try to solve problems from a “fairness” frame. They believe the best way to solve problems is through the use of the “value” called “fairness.” There’s nothing inherently wrong with the value of fairness, it’s a trait that’s had a positive impact on our evolution. It’s about whether fairness is best to solve a specific problem in a specific circumstance.

Most libertarians try to solve problems through the “individual liberty” frame. Again nothing inherently wrong with that value. Without individual liberty we’re slaves.

Most conservatives try to solve problems trough the “tradition” frame. Again nothing wrong with that value. Traditions have worked for thousands of years for a reason.

Know that:

  1. ⁠Specific values beat general values in the battle of frames.

Ex: The first and most general value to take is whether or not existence is a good thing. Every single other value stems from the answer of “Yes, Life is good,” or “No, Life isn’t good.”

The question is to determine positive and negative values.

Why is life good? Because (Inset more specific positive value here, ex: love)

Why is life bad? Because (Inset more specific positive value here, ex: thing I dislike)

It’s also a way to derive us vs. them but I digress.

  1. Everyone has a set of core values.

This is who you are in your soul. It is necessary for everyone to have different core values for the same reason genetic mutation is a thing. It’s helped our species evolve over time. There is nothing wrong with your core values.

Politics stem from our core values. If you believe the value of equality is best to solve problems, you’re going to elect politicians who will use the value of equality in their policy to solve problems.

By appealing to someone’s core values you are selling to them; you can look at any sales related field - those that sell the best are those who best understand the values of others (empathy) and how to help them achieve that value through a product.

  1. You can hold multiple values, as long as they don’t conflict with one another.

The value of “individualism” is not compatible with the value of “collectivism” because they, by definition, strive to do two different things. They cannot co-exist at the same time. Neither are bad. But you can’t hold them at the same time.

The values of “individualism” and “freedom” can co-exist at the same time, because they are, by definition, not opposed.

  1. Reframing arguments.

All arguments are, is a battle of values. Who can argue for a value more strongly?

All “reframes” are, is switching the specific value that you’re arguing for “liberty” to a similar value ex: “freedom” (as long as the two values can co-exist). To support a more generalized value ex: “competition.”

The second value should co-exist with the first (see point #3)

Hopefully this helped out some, its nowhere near a complete guide, but should serve as an adequate way to define frame.

Tldr;

Frame = Moral Values, yes like in a Disney movie.