What are human values?

Meaning, types and universal moral values

Human 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.

Introduction

Values are the standards by which we judge what is good, important and worth striving for. They shape our choices, our relationships and the kind of society we build. Human values are those that make us better human beings and allow people of different backgrounds to live together in peace.

Definitions

Milton Rokeach (The Nature of Human Values, 1973): a value is 'an enduring belief that a specific mode of conduct or end-state of existence is personally or socially preferable to an opposite or converse mode of conduct or end-state of existence'.
In simple terms: values are the beliefs that tell us what is good, right and desirable, and that guide our behaviour.

Characteristics of values

Learned: acquired through family, religion, culture and experience.
Relatively stable and enduring, but they can change over time.
Guide behaviour and decisions.
Arranged in a hierarchy: people give some values priority over others.
Both individual and shared within societies.

Types of values

Moral values: truthfulness, honesty, justice, kindness.
Social values: cooperation, respect for others, tolerance, community service.
Spiritual and religious values: faith, gratitude, humility, patience (sabr).
Civic and democratic values: rule of law, equality, freedom, participation.
Professional values: integrity, competence, accountability, dedication.
Aesthetic values: appreciation of beauty in nature and art.
Personal values: self-discipline, hard work, punctuality.

Universal moral values

Across cultures and faiths there is wide agreement on certain core values:

Truthfulness and honesty
Justice and fairness
Respect for human dignity and life
Responsibility and accountability
Compassion and care for the weak
Tolerance and peaceful coexistence
Keeping promises and trustworthiness
These are reflected in the teachings of all major religions and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).

Importance of values

Give direction and meaning to life.
Build trust and cooperation in families, workplaces and society.
Reduce conflict, crime and corruption.
Form the basis of good laws and good governance.
Help create a peaceful, just and prosperous nation.

Conclusion

Human values are the foundation of a civilized society. Laws can regulate behaviour, but only values can shape character.

Definitions

Milton Rokeach (The Nature of Human Values, 1973): a value is 'an enduring belief that a specific mode of conduct or end-state of existence is personally or socially preferable to an opposite or converse mode of conduct or end-state of existence'.

In simple terms: values are the beliefs that tell us what is good, right and desirable, and that guide our behaviour.

Types of values

Moral values: truthfulness, honesty, justice, kindness.

Social values: cooperation, respect for others, tolerance, community service.

Spiritual and religious values: faith, gratitude, humility, patience (sabr).

Civic and democratic values: rule of law, equality, freedom, participation.

Professional values: integrity, competence, accountability, dedication.

Aesthetic values: appreciation of beauty in nature and art.

Personal values: self-discipline, hard work, punctuality.

Universal moral values

Across cultures and faiths there is wide agreement on certain core values:

Truthfulness and honesty

Justice and fairness

Respect for human dignity and life

Responsibility and accountability

Compassion and care for the weak

Tolerance and peaceful coexistence

Keeping promises and trustworthiness

These are reflected in the teachings of all major religions and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).