Human values

Meaning, types and universal moral values

Human values are deeply held principles that guide how people think and behave, such as truthfulness, justice, respect, responsibility and compassion. Many of them are shared across cultures and religions.

Examples

Truthfulness, honesty, justice, respect, responsibility, compassion, tolerance, peace

Classic definition

Milton Rokeach (1973)

The first school of values

The family is the first and most powerful institution for teaching values, because children learn mainly by watching and imitating their parents and elders.

Key idea

Children learn more from example than from instruction

In Islam

Parents are responsible for the upbringing (tarbiyah) of their children

Community, religious institutions, media and leaders

Society shapes values through the community, religious institutions, traditions, the media, peer groups and the example of leaders and public figures.

Agents

Community, mosques and other places of worship, media, peer groups, civil society, leaders

Schools, colleges and universities

Educational institutions develop values through what they teach, how teachers behave, and the culture of the institution, preparing students to be responsible citizens and ethical professionals.

Channels

Curriculum, teachers as role models, co-curricular activities, institutional culture

Constitution

Article 25A: free and compulsory education for ages 5–16

Challenges and the way forward

Inculcating universal moral values requires the family, society and educational institutions to work together, and faces obstacles such as materialism, corruption, poor role models and harmful media.

Key principle

Consistent example from family, school, leaders and the state