Human Values: Features and Classification | UPSC Mains: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude PDF Download

Human Values

Belief

• Belief: Belief is an internal conviction that something is true, even if it is unproven or irrational; it represents things we consider to be true. Belief is the simplest form of mental representation and serves as the foundation for our thought process.
• Nature of Beliefs: Beliefs encompass the ideas, viewpoints, and attitudes of an individual, group, or society. They can include myths, fables, folklore, traditions, and superstitions, as well as verifiable facts, history, or legends.
• Cultural Foundation: Beliefs form the foundation of cultural groups but are often invisible to those who hold them. They are significant because they provide hope and a sense of purpose, and humans thrive on what they believe in.
• Challenging Beliefs: Beliefs are subject to challenge, and peripheral beliefs can change. For example, two people may hold different beliefs about a simple phenomenon like a glass being half full or half empty, or more complex theological questions like the origin of life or the Earth.
• Emotional Influence: Beliefs can evoke emotions, but they do not necessarily lead to actions.
• Belief as Cognition: Belief is also known as cognition, as it is a mental representation or understanding.
• Types of Beliefs: Beliefs can be categorized as:
  • Peripheral (weak) beliefs: These are less firmly held and can be more easily changed.
  • Core (strong) beliefs: These beliefs are formed through direct interaction and are deeply ingrained, such as the belief that women are weak in patriarchal societies.

Value

• Value = Belief + Emotions: Values are shaped by both beliefs and emotions, and they guide individuals or groups in determining what is right or wrong.
• Definition of Values: Values are the inherent mechanisms that help an individual or group decide what is considered right or wrong.
• What is Considered Important: Values represent what is regarded as "important" by an individual, society, or organization.
• Enduring Beliefs: Values are important and enduring beliefs or ideas that guide an individual or society in determining what is good, bad, desirable, or undesirable.
• Sources of Values: Values are formed through external influences such as the environment, family, and personal experiences.
• Degree of Importance: Values reflect the degree of importance attributed to something, including actions or decisions.
• Guiding Actions: Values help determine the best course of action by indicating what is important and guiding decision-making.
• Beliefs about Importance: Values are essentially beliefs about what is important in life and guide behaviors accordingly.

Values Vs Ethics

Features and Classifications of Human Values

• Values as Standards: Values are principles that guide our behavior in various aspects of life and provide a foundation for morality.
• Character and Conduct: Values focus on shaping the character and conduct of an individual.
• Self-Managing Mechanism: Values are not instinctive; they are developed through experiences and learning from the environment, involving both participatory and anticipatory learning processes.
• Core of Human Personality: Values form the core of an individual's personality and identity.
• Above Specific Objects: Values transcend specific objects, situations, or individuals. For example, the value of justice applies universally, while attitudes related to justice may be focused on specific issues like gender or caste.
• Expression of Values: Values are not as frequently expressed in everyday life as attitudes are, but they are reflected more in the overall expression of attitudes.
• Stability and Change: Values are generally stable and enduring, but significant life events can alter a person’s value system, as seen in the changes experienced by figures like Ashoka after the Kalinga War, Ungalimal, and Valmiki.

Classification of Human Values

• Intrinsic/End/Terminal value: which has its worth, like justice.
• Extrinsic/Mean/Instrumental value: which helps in achieving the end value like courage.

Terminal and Instrumental Values

Intrinsic values and Extrinsic values

Institutional values and Individual values

Personal Values vs Social Values

• Personal Values: These are crucial for an individual's well-being and happiness. Examples include self-respect, a comfortable life, and freedom.
• Social Values: These are essential for the well-being of others and society as a whole. Examples include equality, social justice, national security, and world peace.

Moral, Immoral and Amoral values

• Moral Values: These values encourage right actions and honesty. For example, values like integrity promote ethical behavior, while immoral values lead to harmful actions, such as how greed can result in corruption.
• Amoral Values: These values are neutral and do not concern morality. Examples include values related to beauty or fitness, which are not inherently moral or immoral.
• Variation in Values: Different people or groups may have distinct values based on their circumstances or worldview:
  • Tribals: Value the conservation of forests.
  • Service Class: Value stability.
  • Business Class: Value profit and risk.
  • Communists: Value equality and justice.

Values can be of different types:
(a) Constitutional: Justice, equality, fraternity, socialism, secularism, etc.
(b) Political: Democracy, monarchy, equality, etc.
(c) Social: Inclusiveness, gender equality, tolerance, harmony, etc.
(d) Economic: Efficiency, profitability, competition, etc.
(e) Professional: Honesty, integrity, punctuality, merit, etc.
(f) International: Universal brotherhood, peace, harmony, etc.
(g) Scientific: Objectivity, rationality, etc.
(h) Aesthetics: Indian music, melody, etc.