Introduction to Human Values
INTRODUCTION
It is rightly to state that ‘Human being without values is none other than an animal’. But when
values enter in the character of human beings then it is turned as ‘value-based education’ which
not only gives moral education but also develops an overall-personality of a human being.
Besides value-education, self-exploration is also an essential medium to analyze oneself on vivid
aspects like ‘Individual’s, weaknesses, goals and purpose of life’. Every human being with to be
prosperous and happy throughout their life tenure, but how it can be attained and assessed is
revealed by various examples in this unit.
1.1-Defining Human Values- ‘value’, it came from a Latin word ‘valere’, which means
‘precious ‘or worthy fullness. Value can be evaluated in two ways. Extrinsic values and intrinsic
values. By example we can understand this. Suppose, if I need 2 kg. of sugar to buy, for that I
have to go for shopkeeper .After paying the value of sugar, than only I can receive the material.
In our life what we pay to buy material things that all are related to extrinsic values. Apart from
this there are intrinsic values, suppose,Love,care,share,gratitude,,reverence,loyalty,responsibility
which we cannot pay. I can’t say I need 2k.g. of love or 2 meter of affection. This is absolutely
impossible. Intrinsic values are so special or precious to acquire in one’s life. Apart from this
there are positive values and negative values. Positive values always make a good impact for
the society as well as individual .But the negative values always make a bad impact for society
and the mass. Because it increases anti-social, activities and anti-social behavior. Which is not
required. As ethics teach the lesson what is good for us and what is bad. So it is depend on
human being only which value they are going to practice .So it is evident that values are some
principle of human behavior .Value means importance and Education implies for right
knowledge. Therefore value education implies for importance of knowledge in any kind of
source.
There are five stem values and many sub-values, or virtues which together forms the
character of an individual. They contain all that makes a human being noble, gentle and kind.
These are:-
(a) Truth: -
It is a foundational value, no one can refute this. We all desire to know what truth is. Suppose,
who am I? How can I know myself? And what is the purpose of my life? Speak Truth is too
important to build up a strong character whereas untruth always leads to increase anti-social
behavior. Self-respect, equability, concentration, non- violence, gentleness are the example of
truth. Truth is such kind of value, which does not depend upon the will or the wish of individual.
It is independent of desires and their related interest and opinion. Truth consists both individual
and communal aspects. Just as individual truthfulness is the basis of secure a society, the
common efforts towards truth about life and the cosmos is represented, for example, by the
sciences, by jurisprudence and philosophy. Is truth which enable us to compare and distinguish
true from false. In so far truth is inherent value in the human psyche is found that no one likes to
be called a liar, not even most liars. Because it is too hard to maintain a lie than truth.
(b) Love and Caring: -
It leads us for unselfish mind, because it all comes from within our heart. Love is
not an emotion, but a spontaneous energy, purification of heart. It is unconditional
positive and have well for other. It’s turned away one’s mind from selfishness.Love is
essential, if children are to grow up healthy in mind and body.
Love seeks many and various channel of realizations. Its essence can be
characterize by the words ‘love is unselfish care and concern for the well-being of others
and the world at large’. It singing a child may experience the sweetness of love. In wide
sense love can be taken as a sense of care and concern. It’s a kind of value which
generates respect also. Love as care does not only refer to an emotion or a state of mind
which relates sympathy with all beings, creation and of divinity. It is also understood by
sharing, kindness, concern, helping and forgiveness.
(c) Peacefulness in a person’s life in society and in other terms is a product of all positive
values working together. Without truth caring concern or love and justice conflicts arise
and peace is endangered. Where there is peace in the family there will be peace in
society. It is better to give than receive. If we give hatred, will receive hatred and sorrow.
If we give love and happiness, will receive respect and love. It is simple in idea but
difficult to achieve. Truth and love is the highest value to achieve it. To know ones peace
of mind a self-verification and self-administration are needed.
(d) Responsibility is the inherently sensed value. It is a core value of all human being.
Human actions are physical events brought about through physical behavior. There is no
specific code of behavior which can be prescribed for all the times and places
independently, socially or in any kind of situations or conditions. Responsibility is such
an inherent value that one can acquire in his or her life. Suppose it is the responsibility of
students that they should concern about their studies. It is the responsibility of the citizens
to obey the constitutions of their respective country. It is responsibility of parents to look
after their children. But responsibility itself can’t formulated as explicit norms, laws or
any kind of rules or regulations. In today’s scenario we can see many kind of unethical
practices in the society. But responsibility enable us to take a prompt action to remove all
those practices.If knowledge is true and whatever the good inside us that provoke us to do
right things in well efficient manners. Therefore responsibility we can say a platform
for a Right Act of Right Action.
(e) Justice,as one of the utmost human values, because jurisprudence is founded upon the
broadest possible consideration. Just means right and fair as deserved. Therefore justice
means just behavior or fair treatment. The quality of being fair and reasonable should be
in our behavior towards others. If I treated fairly in a decent manner so, I would be
behave with others in a similar manner. It is a recognition of equality and fairness in
relationship. These contain right or wrong, good or ill, blame or guiltlessness etc. It is
established on fairness, where the equality of every individual before the track in
fundamental. As such it is a social value, in that it aims to resolve and reduce conflict,
guided by principles of care and non-violence. The aim to attain social justice for the
perceived common good in all human societies.
When one value is truly understood and practical then, the other values will also be
understood, for they are interlinked and flow from the common source, the spirit within. On the
words of Clifford sharp, “Human values are the ‘habits of thought’ each of us acquires as we
mature so that we can assess and deal with ‘ethical’ problems”
For this reason, more than one value it has been said nothing exists for itself only. The
axe is useful so long as it cuts, the tree so long as it bears fruit, the Cow so long as it gives milk.
This rule applies to everything in the natural would for all it is interrelated. It also applicable to
human beings. Practice make a man perfect. We are useful so far as we practice over the values.
When we fail to do this, we are just trackless over the danger. We found ourselves mismanaged.
Reference Books:
1. Srivastava,Smriti; Human Values and Professional Ethics; S.K.Kataria & Son Books,
New Delhi;2010-11
2. Gupta,Y.K.; A foundational course in Human Values and Professional
Ethics;Shubham Publications, New Delhi; 2010
