Final answer:
Two values that are especially inconsistent with each other are individual achievement and external conformity. These represent a profound societal clash between personal goals and societal expectations, exemplified by Merton's strain theory and the differing values of capitalist and communal approaches to success.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two values that are especially inconsistent with each other are individual achievement and external conformity. The concept of individual achievement is about the pursuit of personal goals and success based on one's own efforts and unique path, often involving innovation and a drive for personal excellence. In contrast, external conformity involves aligning oneself with societal standards and norms, often at the expense of personal goals or individuality. This clash is reflected in various society dynamics, such as workplace practices and the broader cultural narrative.
Conformity implies a certain suppression of individualized goals in favor of societal expectations, which can represent a contradiction to the values of individual success and personal fulfillment. Societal structures may reward conformity and regard deviance, which can include the pursuit of individual goals, as threatening to the social order. Robert Merton's strain theory explains this contradiction, suggesting that access to socially acceptable goals influences whether a person conforms or seeks achievement through their own means.
In the context of education, the concept of success is traditionally associated with individual achievement through hard work and innate ability, which contrasts with a one-size-fits-all approach that a collective grading model might represent. This notion of success and the idea that hard work should be rewarded are deeply entrenched in capitalist societies and are often at odds with values such as egalitarianism and communal success.