Human Values
Meaning of “Value” in Ethics
The word value is an ambiguous term as it has been used, indiscriminately, by
Philosophers, Psychologists, Administrators, Political scientists, Economists,
Sociologists, Historians, Anthropologists, Engineers, Medical practioners, Lawyers
and so on; hence it becomes indispensible for us to have a look at the etymological
origin of the word to understand its meaning in the context of ethics.
The word “Value” is derived from the Latin word ‘Valere’ meaning “to be of worth”.
Therefore, etymologically the term value denotes the worth of something. The word
‘value’ came to ethics by the way of economics. In Economics, it is used for
a) value in use that is, the capacity of object to satisfy a human need or desire and
b) value in exchange or the amount of one commodity that can be obtained in exchange
for another.
Generally, an object is said to have value, if it contributes to the satisfaction of a human
need. In ethics, values mean our core ideas or beliefs that guide our action. Values are
acquired from knowledge, awareness, experience or through the process of socialization.
These ideas or beliefs are dear to us and on the basis of these ideas we decide what is right
and what is wrong. Thus values are something that are desirable and worthy of
esteem for their own sake. Values have an intrinsic worth in ‘usefulness or importance’ to
the possessor. Values are principles, standards, or qualities considered worthwhile or
desirable. Good values engender good thoughts and ultimately translate into good
behaviour.
What are Human values?
Human values are the virtues (i.e. desirable traits of character) that guide us to take
into account the human element when we interact with other human beings. Human
values are those values which help man to live in harmony with the world. Without values,
human life would be drained of significance, degenerating into a bland and
textureless existence without differentiation.
Human values contain mankind’s deepest moral aspirations and form the basis of
our lives as individuals and as societies. Human values are ‘Universal’ in nature as they
shared by all human beings irrespective of their religion, nationality or cultural
background. Human values induce consideration for fellow human beings.
Classification of Human values
A] Terminal values and Instrumental values
Terminal values are the core permanent values that often become the traits of one’s
character. They can be good or bad. They are very hard to change. Terminal Values
include things like happiness, self respect, family security, recognition, freedom,
inner harmony, comfortable life, professional excellence, etc. terminal values are
desirable states of existence.
Instrumental values are a part of a values definition created by social psychologist
Milton Rokeach. He defined instrumental values as those which are specific modes of
behavior. They are not an end goal, but provide a means by which an end goal is
accomplished.
In a nutshell, Terminal Values signify the objectives of the life of a person – the ultimate
things the person wants to achieve through his or her behaviour (the destination he wants
to reach in life) whereas Instrumental Values indicate the methods an individual would
like to adopt for achieving his life’s aim (the path he would like to take to reach his
destination).
B] Intrinsic values and Extrinsic values
An intrinsic value is one which has worth in its own right. It is an end- in-itself.
Intrinsic values are good irrespective of the consequences they bring. Intrinsic value
has traditionally been thought to lie at the heart of ethics. Honesty, temperance, courage,
happiness, peace etc are examples of intrinsic values.
An Extrinsic value is one which is a means to attain some other intrinsic value. It is of
instrumental worth only as they serve as means to achieve an end. Values such as
health, money, fame, status, intelligence, and so on are the ‘means-values’ or ‘path-
values’ which help achieve the end values.
C] Institutional values and Individual values
Institutional values are propagated by political, social, economic or cultural
institutions. For example in a democratic society liberty becomes an institutional value.
Similarly loyalty becomes a value in a social institution like marriage. Individual values
include both intrinsic and extrinsic values which are considered important by the
possessor of these values. Self-esteem and fame can be thought of as such values.
How are Values formed?
People’s value system comprises both sets of values—terminal and instrumental—
which are developed and reinforced through the culture in which they grow on one
side and the environment on the other.
Socialisation from parents, religious institutions, friends, personal experiences, and society
contribute to the formation of values in individuals. The individual values are affected by
our belief system, prevailing social systems, and to some extent socio- economic conditions.
The terminal values are formed over the years, whereas the instrumental values are
determined by situations.
Fundamental Human Values
The values which are considered basic inherent values in humans include truth,
honesty, loyalty, love, peace, etc. because they bring out the fundamental goodness of
human beings and society at large. Further, since these values are unifying in nature
and cut across individual’s social, cultural, religious and sectarian interests; they are
also considered universal, timeless and eternal applying to all human beings.
GRID OF HUMAN VALUES AND SUB-VALUES
Right-Conduct Peace Truth Love Non-violence
Manners Patience Truthfulness Kindness Consideration
Awareness Concentration Honesty Forgiveness Stewardship
Responsibility Positiveness Fairness Generosity Justice
Independence Self-acceptance Trust Compassion Respect
Perseverance Self-discipline Reflection Tolerance Cooperation
Courage Contentment Determination Service Harmlessness
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