Learning Objectives

 Identify universal values; and

 Explain why universal values are necessary for human survival.

A value is a universal value if it has the same value or worth for all, or almost all, people spheres of human value
encompass morality, aesthetic preference, human traits human endeavour, and social order.
Values have major influence on a person’s behaviour and attitude and serve as broad guidelines on all
situations.

The claim for universal values can be understood in two different ways:
• First, it could be that something has a universal value when everybody finds it valuable. According to Isaiah
Berlin,…universal values…are values that a great many human beings in the vast majority of places and
situations, at almost all times, do in fact hold in common, whether consciously and explicitly or as expressed
in their behavior
• Second, something could have universal values when all people have reason to believe it has value.
Amartya Sen interprets the term in this way pointing out that when Mahatma Gandhi argued non-violence is
a universal value, he was arguing that all people have reason to value non-violence, not that all people
currently value non-violence.
Four Major Categories and more Specific Values
1. Commitment to something greater than itself
• To recognize the existence of and be committed to the Supreme Being the higher principle, transcendent
purpose or meaning to one’s existence.
• To seek truth, (truths}
• To seek justice
2. Self-respect with humility, self-discipline and acceptance to responsibility
• To respect and care for oneself
• To not exalt oneself or overindulge, to show humility and avoid gluttony, greed or other forms of selfishness
or self- centeredness
• To act in accordance with one’s conscience and to accept responsibility to one’s behaviour.

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Contentment
• It is a state of being happy and satisfied. It’s being satisfied with what you have, whatever that is.

6 practices that can increase your contentment

• Express gratitude. Intentionally identifying things to be grateful for helps us recognize just how blessed we
are.
• Keep a thankfulness journal
• Be generous/ practice gratitude
• Stay away from what makes you discontent
• Take care of yourself
• Pray
3. Respect and caring for others. (golden rule)
• To recognize the connectedness between all people
• To serve humankind and to be helpful to an individual.
• To be caring respectful, compassionate, tolerant and forgiving of others
• To not hurt others (do not murder, abuse, steal from, cheat or lie to others)

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4. Caring for other living things and the environment.
S.H. Schwartz, along with a number of psychology colleagues, has carried out empirical research investigating
whether there are universal values and what those values are. Schwartz defined “values” as conceptions of the
desirable that influence the way people select action and evaluate events. He hypothesised that universal values
would relate to three different types of human needs:
• Biological needs
• Social coordination needs
• Needs related to the welfare and survival of groups

10 Universal Values

 Power
 Achievement
 Hedonism
 Stimulation
 Self-direction

 Universalism
 Benevolence
 Tradition
 Conformity
 Security

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Below are each of the value types, with the specific related values alongside:

VALUE TYPES SPECIFIC VALUES

Power Authority; leadership; dominance; social power; wealth

Achievement Success; capability; ambition; influence; intelligence; self-respect

Hedonism Pleasure; enjoying life

Stimulation Daring activities; varied life; exciting life

Self-direction Creativity; freedom; independence; curiosity; choosing you own goals

Universalism Broadmindedness; wisdom; social justice; equality; a world at peace; a world of

beauty; unity with nature; protecting the environment; inner harmony
Benevolence Helpfulness; honesty; forgiveness; loyalty; responsibility; friendship

Tradition Accepting one’s portion in life; humility; devoutness; respect for tradition; moderation

Conformity Self-disciple; obedience

Security Cleanliness; family security; national security; stability of social order reciprocation of
favours’ health; sense of belonging