Epistemological Criteria
Literal-denotative: values/teachings are those which are promulgated on the physical senses and have explicit, literal meanings. e.g., scientific and social science empiricism as well as religious fundamentalism
Metaphoric-connotative: values/teachings are those based on mental conceptualization and have implicit, metaphoric meanings. e.g., humanities, philosophical rationalism, literary criticism, as well as racial prejudice
Anagogic-implicative: values/teachings are those which are derived from intuitive or mystical experiences and have implicit, metaphoric meanings. e.g., artistic and religious intuition and inspiration